Low on budget, high on josh: Durga Puja pandals in the city keep celebrations low key this year

Even with low budgets and lots of restrictions, Durga Puja pandals in the city are high on josh. Temperature checks, sanitization, no prasad and offerings being given to the devotees and social distancing being maintained, the puja celebrations are on in the city with full enthusiasm. Adhering to the guidelines laid down by the government, several pandals have been set up in the city.

Vinod Kumar Tewari , General Secretary, Model House Durga Puja Committee, says, “The celebrations this year are not grand. However, we are celebrating the most awaited festival for us with great zeal and enthusiasm following all the rules and regulations set up for us by the government Proper social distancing norms and regular sanitization is being done at the pandal.”

“We get the idol made in the club every year but this time we couldn’t, nor could we have the chandi paath. We are not giving the bhog also. But what is new this year is that the visarjan will be done in the club premises only. Given the limitations, we have tried to do the puja as best as we could. What is also very good is that the people are cooperating with us and are just as high on josh as every year,” says Arun Kumar Bannerji , President Bengali Club .