Team Herald
PONDA: Ponda town wore a festive look on Saturday- almost eleven days ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi and the market was flooded with people from different walks life shopping much in advance and preparing for the big day on 31 August.
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After low key celebrations for two years due to the Covid -19 pandemic and with no curbs this year, Goans were in a celebratory mood and were really planning to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in a grand manner. Inflation has not dimmed the celebration mood of the people either.
There was business with pleasure around with all kinds of shops, stalls, festival bazaars flooded with goods and items required for Chovoth festival and people make a beeline to pick to the shops.
This is the only time which gives an opportunity to the big and small vendors to make a quick buck as whatever is brought to the market is easily sold, said a vendor in the area.
There is huge demand for fire crackers, fruits, vegetables, electronic accessories, shoes, furniture, new TVs, clothes etc.
Business has been brisk for big clay idols despite the rising cost of clay and traditional artisans were seen giving final touches to their Ganeshas.
While the men were busy with painting and putting up decorations at their homes, women were busy in preparing sweet dishes such as neuros, ladoos, modaks etc.
Youth were seen the practicing ghumat aarthi and beating the drums to perfection.
Vishal Fadte from Ponda said that this year there was a bigger rush to the market as there was no pandemic scare and advised that more police should be deputed here as chain snatching and theft cases were on the rise.
The Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotav Mandal Sadar Ponda is celebrating its Golden Jubilee year in a grand manner at the Kranti Maidan at Ponda. Sunil Desai elected as Chairman for this year’s celebration. Zareshwar Ganeshotav Mandal and Budhwar Peth Mandal are also preparing to celebrate the festival on a grand scale.
