The business of idol makers in India has been impeded due to the coronavirus. The lack of demand and artists preparing idols of Lord Ganesh face a problem as orders have reduced compared with the previous year.
The area which usually becomes a tourist attraction, with several devotees, budding artists, photographers, and others throng to witness the artisans giving shape to lord Ganesha, wears a deserted look due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
They are bearing losses after the demand, and the sale dropped massively due to the coronavirus pandemic. The situation remains unchanged even during the festivals.
An idol of Ganesha stands at a workshop ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Hyderabad. The festival accounts for the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is widely worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune.
As every year, come to Ganesh Chaturthi, brings enthusiasm among the devotees the businesses related to the festival now have invigorated – from idol-making to flower traders and decorators, from shamiana on rent to band troupes, from sweet makers to the sellers.
The continuous surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the city has proved people are planning low-key festivities, which has meant that this festive season will be damp for the businesses.
While a flower trader stated that “the market is huge and diverse, which includes idol-making, clothes, jewellery, a flower business, band troupes, shamiyana and thousands of rupees are spent on a small Ganesh pandal on flowers and shamiyana. But now as there is no public installation and immersion of Ganesh idols this year, all related businesses have fallen flat,” he said.
The Lalbaughcha Raja idol, which attracts a sea of humanity every year, will only stand 4-feet tall this year. The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal shall organize a blood and plasma donation camp at the venue to contribute their bit during testing times such as these.
Reports suggested Ganesh Mandals over the city to submit an undertaking (stating that they would follow COVID-19 protocols and social distancing rules) while registering their applications for permission.
Mandals are expected to sanitize pandals thrice a day, with a ban on offering flowers and delivering prasad.
Whereas the organizers will have to adhere to the guidelines and ensure there is no overcrowding at the pandal. The Pandal management shall take a watch on the number of devotees that will be allowed at a particular time.
People have been advised by the authorities and are monitored to avoid visiting places that may draw huge crowds. Therefore, Mandals have been ordered to organize the LIVE streaming of the Aartis for the devotees so that they can take part in it virtually.
