PANAJIFamilies proceeded in smaller groups of 6-8 persons carrying therevered god's idols to vantage points along water bodies to immersethem. Usually a joint family affair, this time due to the restrictive Covid-19pandemic many kept the festivities and rituals restricted to the nuclearfamily. Also, at the traditional 'visarjan' spots police helped in maintainingorder and avoid crowding. The Corporation of the City of Panaji along with the city policeimplemented strict social distancing norms in Panaji. On
ly twopersons were allowed to carry the idol for immersion in the ferry boat.At immersion point near Old Patto bridge, people used canoes forindividual idol immersion.Strict vigil was also maintained at 12 immersion spots in Panaji whileextra caution was exercised at major immersion points at jetties.This year’s visarjan was without the usual excitement of bigprocessions and fireworks. Devotees came directly to the spot andimmersed the idols even as vehicles were parked away from the spotsto avoid congestion. Garlands "nirmalya" had to be kept in thecontainers placed at each immersion site and were not allowed onidols during immersion.“As the situation is different this year we had appealed to people tomaintain social distancing. People have cooperated and not more thanfive were allowed for visarjan", said Mayor Uday Madkaikar.
