Puri: The Puri district administration banned Friday public celebration of Ganesh Puja this year, keeping in mind the restrictions imposed to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. This district in the past few days has seen a rise in the number of coronavirus cases. In the last 24 hours the Puri district has reported 87 new cases of coronavirus.
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A notification was issued banning community Ganesh puja. It said that youth associations, organisations, clubs and individuals would not be allowed to celebrate Ganesh puja in public places. The ban will be applicable in all rural and urban localities of Puri district.
Administration officials said that flouting of the rules will be dealt with severely, Individuals wanting to perform the puja inside their residences have been permitted to do so.
Clay Ganesh idol makers, however, have resented the district administration’s latest order as it came only a day before the actual puja celebrations. They said they had made a large number of idols that will not have any takers now due to the order. In the process they will suffer financial losses.
“We are not against the administration’s decision. However, such a decision should have been taken much before. We took advances from several local clubs, which we would have to return. However, a portion those advances have already been spent,” said idol maker Balaram Sahoo.
A large-size idol of Lord Ganesh costs from Rs 5,000 to Rs 15,000. Local clay idol makers will now lose lakhs of rupees, he added.
In similar vein, Puri Daraji Pokhari Chhak puja committee secretary Gurudatta Swain said, “We have already made all preparations for Ganesh Puja and spent lakhs of rupees for the purpose. All money spent by this time by our puja committee will go waste”.
PNN
