The Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal in Mumbai in a first has decided to not hold the Ganeshotsav this year in the wake of the coronavirus. Instead, a blood and plasma donation camp will be set up in its place. The board has decided to hold a health camp this year for 11 days.
For the last 93 years, Ganesha had been nestled on a grand throne in the market of South Mumbai. This time around to help the city cope with COVID-19, a blood donation camp will operate in its place. The decision was taken by Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal in wake of the increasing cases of coronavirus, especially in Maharashtra where the tally has hit 1,74,761 with Mumbai being the biggest contributor.
The grand idol of the Lord Ganesha will be replaced by a small idol of around 3-4 feet for the traditional puja and other ceremonies. Millions of devotees every year flock to visit the famed pandal of Lalbaughcha Raja where over a 15-feet-tall idol of Lord Ganesha is usually set up. The festival usually observes donations in crores, including gold and silver ornaments being offered to the 'King of Lalbaug'. The 10-day festival is set to begin on August 22.
Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had earlier appealed to the people to conduct the festival in a simplistic manner as he called for low-key celebrations this year keeping in mind the pandemic situation. Thackeray further said that the threat of coronavirus was not over, so it would be impossible to celebrate the festival with its usual grandeur. He also asked the people to make sure that social distancing protocols are maintained adding that there should be no crowding or processions.
Maharashtra currently has 1,74,690 cases of coronavirus with 77,688 cases being in Mumbai only.
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