Ranchi:
Saraswati Puja was held with traditional fervour in Ranchi on Tuesday with people offering prayers to the deity at home and pandals, albeit in a low-key manner, keeping in mind the ongoing pandemic.
With coaching institutions remaining shut since the Covid-induced lockdown in March last year, many were seen giving the celebrations a miss this year.
While Saraswati idols are generally not theme-based, the pandemic helped creative minds make wonders with several committees installing Covid-themed idols at the pandals.
At Rajendra Institute of Medical Science (Rims), Saraswati came along with her entourage consisting Ganesh and Kartik where the latter was seen slaying a coronavirus-shaped demon. Rims director Dr Kameshwar Prasad performed the rituals in the presence of doctors and students. The day was also observed at Durga Bari with traditional fervour.
Devotees also thronged to Pahari Mandir to mark the ‘tilakotsav’ of Shiva on the occasion of Basant Panchami.
The administration had deployed a large number of police personnel at the pandals and sensitive places to ensure law and order. SP (city) Saurav said, “Around seven hundred police personnel have been deployed in different parts of the city. The
puja passed off peacefully. The main focus now will be to ensure peace during the immersion which will take place at Bada Talaab, Chadri Talaab and other waterbodies of the city. Policemen will be deployed at sensitive places where incidents have occurred in the past.”