PANAJI
The celebrations may still be subdued on account of the curfew restrictions, but there has been greater enthusiasm among people this time round as Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated for the second year during the Covid pandemic.
People were seen flocking to markets all over the State for their festive purchases even as people complained of sky-high prices.
Local vendors made a quick buck selling fruits and vegetables at three times the price.
"We cannot do without cucumbers, drumsticks, pumpkins, gourds and all other vegetables even though the prices have increased", said a customer, Shobha Shirodkar, who was busy making last minute purchases at Gandhi market in Margao.
Shobha, who will be celebrating one-and-half day Chaturthi says, “The pandemic has restricted our list of invitees for Chaturthi, but our family is big enough to make up for the visitors.”
A local vendor who was seen selling five drumsticks for Rs 50, reasoned on the high price saying, “it is only due to ‘Chovath’, otherwise, I sell four of these for Rs 20”.
KTC has made arrangement for special buses as the existing buses were overbooked. The trains were also running full and extra trains were being pressed into service due to the festival.
Considering public sentiments and enthusiasm to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, the State government had even withdrawn its SOPs and now, it has not stopped priests from visiting houses to perform pujas.
“There is a huge demand for priests during Ganesh festival and the existing priests are unable to meet the demand. They then bring hundreds of priests from neighbouring States like Maharashtra and Karnataka to assist them in performing pujas in all houses.
A large number of people were also seen picking up Ganesh idols from artisans and taking them to their homes.
Ponds, water bodies and other Visarjan sites all over the State have been cleaned as elaborate arrangements have been made for the Ganesh immersion ceremonies.
