The Steel city looks set to miss out on the century old Ganesh Puja fair, one of the most awaited annual event organised at the Ganesh Puja ground at Kadma.

Shree Bala Ganapati Vilas, the organisers, has decided to skip the 17-day long Ganesh Mahotsav due to the Covid- 19 pandemic.

This year Ganesh Puja ( or Ganesh Chaturthi ) falls on August 22, Saturday.

The Puja organised by Shree Bala Ganapati Vilas will enter 102nd year.

The Ganesh Mahotsav celebration is best known for its elaborate pandal and the grand fair, which happens to be the biggest in the state. The puja celebrated its centenary year in 2018.

Talking to The Telegraph Online, president of Shree Bala Ganapati Vilas, M K Rao said, " Due to the pandemic the Ganesh Mahotsav celebration this year will be a low-key affair. Instead of 17 days, it will be a one day affair. There will be no lavish pandal, Prasad and the grand fair."

A giant wheel at the Ganesh Mahotsav Fair at Kadma last year. Bhola Prasad

He went on to say that they would perfom the puja and rituals in a simple manner at the club house located close to the Ganesh Puja ground.

" The club house will be cleaned and sanitized tomorrow. We have got permission for the same from the local administration. The Puja will be carried out with participation of limited number of our committee members. No outsiders will be allowed. The Puja will take place following social distancing and other Covid norms, " said Rao, adding that the immersion will take place on the next day.

The senior functionary of the Ganesh Mahotsav organising body also appealed to the people and devotees to perform puja at their respective homes and to refrain themselves from visiting the venue.

Notably, the 17-day Ganesh Mahotsav celebration at Kadma atrracts a huge crowd from various parts of the city and other adjoining districts.

Last year it witnessed a daily footfall of over 20,000 visitors.

The fence, which has been put up at the Ganesh Puja grounds by Jusco in 2016, has four gates that remains open for visitors from 4.30pm till midnight during the festival.