Bengal’s gets its first ever online Lord Ganesha Puja

Kolkata: In the post Covid-19 era and ‘new normal’ world, going online has become a necessity. We have, thus far, witnessed online classes, events seminars et al and now get ready to witness online puja or e-Darshan of Lord Ganesha who is arriving on Saturday, August 22, this year.

Salt Lake-based Yuvak Sangha Club, is all set to become a trendsetter by organising Bengal’s first ever online Ganesh Puja-Bidhannagar Ganesh Chaturthi Mahotsav 2020 and live streaming it on their Facebook page. The Puja, that stepped into the eleventh year, even has a theme that befits the time we are living in and that is ‘Grihokone Vinayak’ – or Ganesha at home.

Supreme Court had recently commented that e-Darshan is no darshan. But to both organizers and devotees, it is the safest way to celebrate the festival during lockdown. And be assured that this is going to catch up.

This ‘trendsetting’ announcement was made by Mr. Anindya Chatterjee, President of Yuvak Sangha Club during a virtual press conference, held on Friday, July 31, 2020.

He informed, “During this post Covid era, we have to honour and abide by the ‘new normal’ norms, maintain social distancing, wear masks and ensure that there are no large gatherings and so on. We held multiple meetings with our members and came to the conclusion that it would not be prudent to organise the Ganesh Puja in the manner that we do so every year. We brainstormed, roped in the tech savvy children of our members and finally decided to take the online route. We also realised that going online will also enable us to cater to a wider audience within the country and abroad. I suggested the theme and it was heartily welcomed by the other members. Going online is a new concept and format for us, but we are ready to take on this challenge.”

Keeping safety precautions and honouring the rules of social distancing in mind, the club has decided not to disclose the exact location of the Puja. Devotees and enthusiasts will be able to watch the inauguration and all the rituals, do e-darshan, enjoy the aarti, offer pushpanjali on the club’s Facebook page, right from the safety of their homes. They can also register their names and gotro and offer their puja.

And that is not all. The club has also decided to home deliver the bhog and prasad, free of cost. “We will be creating a link on Facebook and those interested in getting the bhog and prasad will have to register their names on our Facebook page. We are talking to various agencies about the distribution process in areas like Biddhanagar, Salt Lake, Lake Town, Rajarhat, New Town, Beleghata, Bangur, parts of Kolkata and so on.”

During the press conference, Anindya Chatterjee also informed us that the idea of online Ganesh Puja has already been welcomed and people, including the elderly are looking forward to this ‘different and unique’ celebration. “There are many elderly people in Salt Lake whose children are residing abroad. So, they are pretty tech savvy. However, if they need our assistance, we shall definitely help them and ensure that they do not miss out on the opportunity of experiencing the first ever online Ganesh Puja.”

The Yuvak Sangha Club has also appealed to its members residing within India and abroad to contribute for greater causes. The amount collected will be utilised to help not only the needy affected by Covid-19 and super cyclone Amphan, but also children from humble backgrounds and enable them to partake as well as benefit from the system of online education.