Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations were a low key affair in Lucknow

Every year, in the run up to Ganesh Chaturthi, the markets in Lucknow selling Ganpati idols are abuzz with activity as sellers line up hundreds of idols, both big and small, for devotees to buy and take home. This year, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a dent in that. While not deserted, the markets are not as busy this year with idol makers across Lucknow reporting a 70-80% decline in their sales. Also, unlike every year, this year there will hardly be any pandaals in the city, making the celebrations again a low key affair. In fact, given the COVID-19 situation, all visarjan in public places is banned and as a result, most devotees are not going for larger idols that need to be immersed in bigger ponds and instead going for eco-friendly smaller Ganeshas, mostly made of clay. “The sale for small and simple idols made of kachi and pakki mitti is really high this year and the Ganesh idols made of POP (Plaster Of Paris), which don’t dissolve easily is negligible,” says Ravi, selling Ganesh idols at IT crossing for a decade now.