The Jharkhand government was yet to issue guidelines for Durga Puja till Tuesday but puja organisers were getting prepared for organising a low-key puja this year too.

“We already met last Sunday and took certain decisions,” informed Kundan Singh, general secretary of Ranchi Zilla Durga Puja Committee, adding they decided to organise Durga Puja this year “keeping the Covid situation in mind”.

The puja is approaching fast and the state government is expected to issue the guidelines any day but orders have to be placed with idol-makers well in advance, he said, adding organisers have been advised not to go for too tall idols.

“We have asked our member organisations not to erect any welcome gates or hold any mela or carnival near puja pandals,” Singh further said, adding all member organisations were expected to be careful while maintaining the tradition.

“We have already approached the state government for allowing more relaxation this time,” he said, reminding that the last year’s guidelines had certain tough instructions.

The guidelines issued by the Jharkhand government last year had evoked mixed response. While the organisers were happy that the pujas were allowed, they were also disheartened that some restrictions were too harsh.

While issuing the guidelines last year, chief secretary Sukhdev Singh had informed that the state government “considered it was important to strike a balance between conducting rituals traditionally related to the Pujas and ensuring that there were no congregations which could lead to spread of Covid-19 infection”.

The government had allowed the organisers to erect small pandals last year but asked to restrict entry to seven persons only, including priests and not to distribute bhog or prasad or organise any mela or cultural programme.

Though the government had asked to limit the height of idols to four feet only, some resented it, saying it would be difficult as the goddess is seen astride on a lion and there is also a frame to be fitted to the idol.

“We are still waiting for government guidelines and will decide in a meeting next Sunday,” informed Partha Sarathi Sengupta of Hirapur Hari Mandir Sharadiya Sammelini of Dhanbad when asked about their plan.

“We are also waiting for government guidelines but have already started making idols with six to eight feet height,” informed Ram Chandra Pal who has a workshop at Tharpakna in Ranchi, adding they were also making four 12-foot-idols, expecting buyers would choose those following relaxation.

“We will strictly follow the government instructions if Covid situation deteriorates,” Singh assured when reminded about the possibility of a third wave of coronavirus infection.