The unique towering Goddess Kali at Telco will not mesmerise visitors this year.

Young Boys Club, the organisers of the Puja, has decided to break from tradition and go for a smaller idol this year due to the government's guidelines in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The idol, an attraction every year, is around 22 ft tall.

General secretary of Young Boys Club, Pradeep Rajwar said, "We will not skip the puja. But, because of the pandemic and the government guidelines this year, itl be organised in a low profile manner with a small idol, thus breaking the tradition of the city's tallest idol for the first time."

The senior functionary said the organisation have also refused the artisans, who used to come from Balichak in West Midnapore district of Bengal for making the unique Kali idol.

"Every year a team of artisans from Bengal used to come here after Dashami for making the idol mounted on a trolley, so that it helps during immersion. This year a small idol will be made instead on that same trolley, "said Rajwar.

In its 45th year, the organisers have also decided to cut short the days of the celebration.

"Usually we celebrate Kali Puja for six-days as it gives an opportunity for people from various parts of the city and far flung areas to have a glimpse of the idol. But, this year the celebration will be for two days- November 14 and 15, "said Rajwar.

Kali Puja and Diwali will be celebrated on November 14.

Last year, the puja attracted footfall of over 1 lakh people.

The Kali Puja organised by Young Boys Club involves a budget of around Rs 12 lakh.

The club members informed that around Rs 1.50 lakh is spent towards making the 22 ft idol and jewelleries which is procured from Calcutta.

The idol and pandal under construction at Telco last year. Bhola Prasad

"Our puja is known for the sheer size of the idol. The practice of making the 22-feet tall idol started in 1976 when our founder P.K. Ghosh dreamt about it. We try to maintain the tradition every year," said an executive member of the club.

The organisers informed that every year the puja is based on a theme. Last year's puja was based on the theme 'Beti Bachao Beti Padao'. However, this year's puja will be organised without a theme.

The steel city witnesses around 10 major Kali pujas of which five to six are big-budget. Among the other big-ticket puja organisers are Jail Chowk Kali Puja Committee in Sakchi and Ranikudar Sarbajanin Kali Puja Committee in Kadma.

All puja committees have decided to keep it low-key with smaller idols.