Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the much awaited Durga Puja festival which heralds the start of the autumn season will be a muted affair this year with the majority of puja celebration committees deciding to perform only “Ghot Puja” and a miniscule of them will perform puja with small idols sans any usual celebration.
The decision was taken at a district administration meeting held with the various Durga Puja Committees of the city to discuss on the celebration of puja this year amid the pandemic situation.
The discussion was held seeking inputs from the puja committees on how they wish to organise the Puja in October.
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While 50 percent of Guwahati's Durga Puja committees offered to perform only the rituals, that is 'ghot puja', twenty five percent wished for a small idol of the Goddess to perform the rituals.
However, twenty five percent of the puja committees wanted to organise puja with the regular large size idols and a proper pandal, but maintaining proper protocol.
Bipul Kumar Das, ADC Kamrup (M), speaking to G Plus said, "We had the meeting as we wanted to know what the committees were planning. We have taken their views and will send it to the government. The final order and SOP will be issued henceforth."
Over 450 Durga Pujas are held across the city with much funfare every year, followed by Kali Puja and Lakshmi Puja. However, given the COVID-19 crisis and the protocols to fight the same, this year the celebrations would be kept minimal.