Photos: Gearing up for Durga Puja in the times of Covid-19

Durga Puja festival is all set begin from October 22, and the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has been a concern as the festival attracts large crowds in the pandals. While the Calcutta High Court has banned visitors inside Puja pandals in West Bengal, several organizing committees across India are downsizing the celebrations this year due to the pandemic. A look at the preparations and rituals ahead of the upcoming festival.

Updated on: Oct 20, 2020 6:05 PM IST

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People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of the coronavirus walk past an unfinished clay idol of Hindu deity Durga ahead of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata on October 17. As the festive week of Navratri kicked off on October 17, devotees are looking forward to celebrating Durga Puja with great enthusiasm. However, the spirit of the auspicious festival has dampened a bit due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Bikas Das / AP)

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Women perform the Dhunachi dance during the arrival procession of a Durga idol at their community pandal in Kolkata on October 16. The Durga Puja festival starts from October 22 and Ekadashi will be observed on October 27. (PTI)

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An idol of Hindu deity Durga (back, centre) and models of migrant workers are used as a pandal theme in Kolkata on October 17. Some organising committees in West Bengal are highlighting the plight of migrant workers to create awareness about the migrant exodus during the nationwide lockdown imposed on March 25 to fight the coronavirus disease, HT reported. (Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP)

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A view of a pandal, highlighting the migrant exodus from the nationwide Covid-19 lockdown, in Kolkata on October 17. Some of the pandals were inaugurated by migrant workers on October 19 and residents in the area maintained a minute’s silence to mourn the passing of migrant workers who died on the way back home. (Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP)

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An artisan prepares an idol of Hindu deity Durga in Chennai on October 17. (PTI)

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee takes a picture after inaugurating a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata on October 18. While most of the big pujas in Kolkata and its suburbs have been inaugurated by the CM herself, she urged pandal-hoppers and puja organisers to avoid crowding, HT reported. (PTI)

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A huge crowd of people seen shopping at New Market area ahead of Durga Puja in Kolkata on October 18. In West Bengal, the Calcutta High Court banned visitors from pandals that have already attracted many thousands of devotees who flouted Covid-19 protocols on October 19 – three days before the puja celebrations kicked off. (Ashok Bhaumik / PTI)

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Preparations underway at a community puja pandal ahead of Durga Puja in Kolkata on October 15. (Ashok Bhaumik / PTI)

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An artisan works on an idol of Hindu deity Durga at a makeshift workshop in Kolkata on October 18. (Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP)

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Renowned sculptor and painter Sanatan Dinda gives finishing touches to an idol of Hindu deity Durga at a makeshift workshop in Kolkata on October 17. (Dibyangshu Sarkar / AFP)

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Workers construct a pandal ahead of the Durga Puja festival in Kolkata on October 19. Every year, nearly 37,000 pandals are set up in West Bengal, HT reported. (PTI)

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Idols of Hindu deity Durga and others are seen at a community puja pandal in Kolkata on October 19. Out of the 37,000 community pujas, more than 2500 are in and around Kolkata and around 1,700 pujas are being organised by women in West Bengal. (Ashok Bhaumik / PTI)