With restrictions on social gatherings being imposed owning to the pandemic, crowded streets and serpentine queues- a sight reminiscent with Durga Puja festival may become a thing of the past this year. Pandal organizers in the City have decided to adopt technology and take the revellers on a virtual tour through live streaming and social media.
Decked up with thematic pandal and attractive installations to catch the public’s eye, this year the much awaited festival will not just have smaller structures with no fanfare but will also have restrictions on the entry of visitors.
“Unlike every other year, this time Durga Puja celebrations will be low key. In view of the present situation, provisions for online darshan are being made. For this an 8 inch by 4 inch LED screen will be installed in the pandal premises. Live streaming of the aarti, pushpanjali and all other rituals will be done on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube. For devotees who want to give donations, account numbers will also be flashed in the videos,” said Ashok Purohit President, Ranchi District Durga Puja Committee (RDDPC) and Chairman Rajasthan Mitra Mandal Puja Committee.
Purohit further stated that this year the entire structure of the pandal will be about 15 feet high and 20 feet broad while the budget is of around Rs 5 lakh as against Rs 20 lakh spent in 2019. The idol will also be of around four feet as against a towering structure of around 15 feet made in past.
“This year the height of the idol has been reduced to four feet to ensure less number of people are involved in the immersion process. As of now a theme for the pandal has not been decided. To avoid any gathering, there will be no attractive decorations and bhog distribution. As far as the rituals are concerned, all customs and traditions will be duly followed but pandal hoppers will not be allowed to visit the venue and pay obeisance to the Goddess.
Preparations for online darshan like installation of LED screens is being done while videos will also be floated on social media platforms,” said Munchun Rai, Convener RDDPC and President Ranchi Railway Station Durga Puja Committee.