Team Herald
PONDA: The grandeur of celebration by Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals turned bland for the second year and a one and a half day low-key puja was conducted in three Mandals of Ponda town. Earlier there used to be crowd flocking in throughout the day but this year a very handful of devotees were seen coming for Ganesh darshan. Priest offered prasad to devotees under close observation of police constable inside the pandals.
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Santosh Naik, president of Zareshwar Sarvajanik Ganeshotav Mandal said, “Just aartis and Bhajans are held in celebrations. Since past several decades it was big celebrations but this time Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals lost its charm. We use to organise various cultural programmes, drama, orchestra and large number of people used to visit the pandal. Since past two years, very small pandals are erected .We will also conduct Ganesh idol immersion early evening on 11 September.”
Ponda town’s three prominent Ganesh Mandals decided to cut short the celebrations to one and a half day from eleven days and nine days respectively in view of avoiding the COVID third wave.
The Ganesh festival was also celebrated at Kranti Maidan premises opposite Ponda Police Station that drew thousands of people every year. This time the committee decided to conduct the puja in a hall behind Saraswati temple.
Similarly at Upper Bazaar Ponda celebration is being held observing social distancing and in simple manner.
There are around 35 Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals in Ponda taluka and majority has limited their celebration to one and a half day.
However, the Ganesh celebrations in villages have also kept it short, limited only to family and they are happy about it.
