Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival dedicated to the elephant-headed God of wisdom, which is generally celebrated on a grand scale sees low-key celebrations this time around.
With rising Covid cases and the possibility of a COVID-19 third wave, authorities have imposed restrictions in order to prevent further spread of the virus, which is why the country is witnessing limited celebrations.
Let's take a look at how the festival was celebrated across the country this year.
In Mumbai, priests and organisers perform 'aarti' at 'Mumbai Cha Raja' in Lal Baug area of Parel on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, with a limited audience.
Priests perform 'aarti' at 'Mumbai Cha Raja'| ANI
The 'aarti' was performed amid limited audience| ANI
Devotees gather outside Ganesh Tekdi temple in Maharashtra's Nagpur. "Even bars and pubs are open now. So what is the problem in reopening temples?." ANI quoted a devotee saying.
Devotees crowd outside Ganesh Tekdi temple in Maharashtra's Nagpur| ANI
| ANI
The annual Ganesh festival began in Pune on Friday as devotees welcomed the deity in their homes and at pandals but without much fanfare in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on processions and gatherings.
Key Ganesh mandals, including five 'manache' (revered ) mandals, performed 'pranpratishtha' (installation) of idols in pandals (marquees) in the city with COVID-19 protocols.
Devotees offer prayers outside Pune's Dagduseth Halwai Ganpati Temple on Ganesh Chaturthi | ANI
Key Ganesh mandals, including five 'manache' (revered ) mandals, performed 'pranpratishtha' (installation) of idols in pandals (marquees) in the city with COVID-19 protocols| ANI
Devotees offer prayers at Sidhi Budhi Vinayak Temple in Delhi's Sarojini Nagar.
Prayers offered at Sidhi Budhi Vinayak Temple in Delhi's Sarojini Nagar | ANI
| ANI
Devotees offer prayers at Ganesh Temple in Assam's Guwahati. "Turnout of devotees is low this year due to COVID. They are maintaining all precautions while offering prayers to Lord Ganesh," ANI quoted a priest saying.
Devotees offer prayers at Ganesh Temple in Guwahati| ANI
"Turnout of devotees is low this year due to COVID," ANI quoted a priest saying. | ANI
Devotees offer prayers at Sri Satya Ganapathi Temple in Bengaluru.
Prayers offered at at Sri Satya Ganapathi Temple in Bengaluru| ANI
| ANI
Meanwhile, even amid COVID-19 times, there was no shortage of creativity in festival celebrations.
Odisha sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created an installation sculpture of Lord Ganesh, using seashells with the message "World Peace" at a beach in Puri yesterday.
Odisha sand artist creates a sculpture of Lord Ganesh, using seashells with the message "World Peace" | ANI
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Ludhiana just got sweeter as a bakery prepared a Ganesh idol from dark chocolate.
"We've been making chocolate Ganesh since 2015 to send a message that we should celebrate festivals in eco-friendly ways," says bakery owner Harjinder Singh Kukreja
Ludhiana-based bakery makes a Ganesh idol from dark chocolate | ANI
| ANI
