Angul: With the Ganesh Puja getting called off due to the coronavirus pandemic at all places across the nation including Mumbai where its celebrated with great pomp and show, the Puja committees are left in a quandary regarding the Puja fund. In an inspiring step, the Puja committees in Angul have pledged to use the money amounting to lakhs of rupees meant for puja pandals’ decoration and other cultural activities towards social cause.
There are 30 major pandals in Angul town where Lord Ganesh’s puja is observed. For this, these committees start their preparation for months well in advance. They hold meetings after meetings. During the week-long puja, the market places are usually decorated with running lights with huge attractive gates.
Every evening, these committees compete with each other in attracting crowds towards them by organising cultural programmes. While most committees rope in melody parts, some organise ‘Ollywood nites. Similarly, they celebrate the immersion festival lavishly. These committees spend more than Rs 5lakhs in making their respective pandals look attractive.
Due to prevailing COVID-19 pandemic situation, the district administration has issued some restrictions barring the committees from observing the puja.
District collector Manoj Kumar Mohanty said no committee is allowed to celebrate Ganesh Puja. The decision has been taken for the larger interest of the society and safety of the people.
The puja can be held with members restricting to four to five members and, most importantly, following all the COVID-19 guidelines. Any violation is likely to attract punishment.
The committees have also welcomed the administration’s decision and decided to observe the festival by just installing clay idols at their respective committee buildings. They have also cancelled programmes like ‘prasad’ distribution’.
Another thing that these committees have decided is to keep aside a lion share of this year’s budget for destitute and people affected by natural calamities.
When contacted, Khirod Pradhan, a member of Hulurisingha United Club, said their club spends something around Rs 4lakh. Rs50 to 55 is spent for cultural programmes alone. But this year, we will observe the puja in a simple manner by just placing an idol of Lord Ganesha in our club building.
Echoing the same, Mahima Nehru Puja Committee member, Anup Kumar Samal said their club spends Rs 4.5 lakh in Ganesh Puja. This year the members’ contribution is not like the previous years. Yet, a lion share of the collected money will be earmarked for social service.
All the puja committees like Prince and Prince Club and Ganapati Club have taken the same decision. They have decided to immerse the idol the next day of the Ganesha Chaturthi.
PNN