Ganeshotsav to be low-key in Thane; pandals to donate to CM relief fund, give online darshan

THANE: This year’s Ganesh Chaturthi in Thane city will continue to be celebrated with less fervour owing to the pandemic. While some sarvajanik mandals prefer to go online, a few others have planned to donate the money collected for the festivities to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Some pandals have also made arrangements for immersion within the pandals.

“Like every year, we have kept a 10-day long festival but everything will be showcased online to avoid any crowd at the pandal. Devotees will also get online darshan and as we have a three-foot tall idol, we have planned to make arrangements for the immersion within the pandal itself on the last day. This will avoid crowds at immersion sites as well,” said Ulhas Berde, president, Riverwood Park Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.

Similarly, Kolbad Mitra Mandal has planned to donate the funds that they have received for Ganpati celebration to the CM Relief Fund. “We have only planned a basic decoration with a three-foot tall Ganpati idol. Devotees have given us money on their own. We have not gone around requesting funds. After the basic celebrations, we will have some funds remaining. That will be donated,” said Raju More of Kolbad Mitra Mandal.

The Thane Municipal Corporation has put up restrictions across the city in terms of festivities. No processions can be taken out and the residents should avoid crowding at sarvajanik pandals. Moreover, the limit for idols is less than four feet and people can immerse idols only with prior online booking of slots in order to avoid crowding.

Workers get decorative materials ready for a Ganesh pandal at Upvan in Thane.