VISAKHAPATNAM/VIJAYAWADA: Apartment dwellers in Vizag city are not keen to celebrate Ganpati festival at their societies this year despite the AP high court’s nod to pujas at private places. The city has over 10,000 small and big apartments. Most of them are located in Madhurawada, Kurmanapalem, Pendurthi and a few other areas.
BB Ganesh, general secretary of Visakhapatnam apartment residents welfare association (VARWA), said less than two per cent of apartment complexes in the city will celebrate Chaturthi this year due to fears over the third wave of Covid-19. “Moreover, many people and their families have been affected badly by the second wave. Many of them have lost one or more of their relatives,” said Ganesh, adding that they have requested those who are celebrating the festival in their apartments to follow Covid protocol.
The situation is a little different in Vijayawada, where the sale of Ganpati idols saw a sudden spurt, thanks to the high court’s order permitting pandals at private places. The artisans, however, are offering huge discounts on the idols to clear stocks.
Big rush of buyers was witnessed at stalls selling idols at Nunna Mango market on Thursday.
“Barring last year, we have been celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi at our apartment for the past 12 years. We are thankful to the HC for permitting the celebrations,” said K Nagendra, a resident of Bhavanipuram.
