Coronavirus Infects Festive Spirit: Durga To Come And Leave ‘Silently'

New Delhi: Durga Puja is still a couple of months away, but Covid-19 is looming large over the five-day festivities marked by pandal hopping, cultural events, feasting and fasting. In Delhi this October, the puja will be a one-day affair in most areas and marked also by only handful of residents joining the priest. The coronavirus pandemic has ruled out big gatherings and the financial strain caused by the lockdown has reduced the possibility of sponsors contributing to the tens of lakhs of rupees usually needed for the occasion.

- Sidhartha.Roy

In the capital’s mini Bengal at Chittaranjan Park — which with the neighbouring Greater Kailash, Alaknanda and Kalkaji hosts at least a dozen popular Durga Puja pandals that attract lakhs of visitors — there will be a small group performing a oneday ghat or kalash(sacred vase) puja instead of the customary pratima (idol) puja. This means no grand theme-based pandal will be erected or prasad and bhog distributed, and no food stalls either.

PK Paul, secretary of Dakshin Palli Durga Puja Samiti in CR Park’s Pocket 52, disclosed plans to perform a ghat puja with not more than five present for the ritual, including the priest and the assistant, even if 50 people are allowed. Paul is also secretary of East Bengal Displaced Persons Association (EBDP), the apex body of RWAs in CR Park, which manages overall arrangements in the area though local samitis organise the pujas.