Covid-19 effect: Mumbai Ka Raja to have 4-ft Ganesh idol

With the Covid-19 pandemic, this year's Ganeshotsav celebrations are likely to attract lesser crowd in Maharashtra.

Mumbai's famous organiser in Ganesh Galli on Tuesday decided to bring in a four-feet idol instead of a larger than life, 22-feet idol.

"Mumbai ka Raja, also known as Ganesh Gaully Ganpati, has decided to celebrate Ganeshotsav in a simple manner this year as per instruction given by the authorities," said Swapnil Parab, Secretary, Mumbai ka Raja Mandal.

Keeping environment concerns in mind and to avoid long-route procession, the idol will be immersed in anrtificial pond instead of the Arabian Sea.

Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival which starts on the fourth day of Hindu luni-solar calendar month Bhadrapada, will start on August 22 this year.

Ganeshotsav is celebrated with much fanfare in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra with lakhs of devotees converging at mandals to seek blessing from Lord Ganesh.