Ganesh Chaturthi celebration was a low-key affair in steel city on Friday.

For the second year in a row, steel city residents missed the century-old Ganesh Puja fair, one of the most awaited annual events organised at the Ganesh Puja ground at Kadma.

Shree Bala Ganapati Vilas, the organisers, cancelled the 17-day long Ganesh Mahotsav for the second consecutive year due to the Covid- 19 pandemic.

Only Ganesh Puja rituals were organised in the presence of a few members in a simple manner. This year too, the organisers performed the puja at a small idol of lord Ganesh.

The Puja organised by Shree Bala Ganapati Vilas entered its 103rd year.

The Ganesh Mahotsav at Kadma 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.

The Ganesh Chaturthi celebration at the G. Town Club ground in Bistupur was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The organisers said if the situation improves they will resume the celebration next year.

Several puja organisers in Sakchi, Sonari, Kadma and other places skipped the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration due to the pandemic.

"We do not want to take chances as the fear of Covid's third wave still persists. Therefore, we decided to skip the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration, said a member of a Ganesh Puja committee at Sonari.

Several puja committees appealed to people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi at their homes to reduce the risk of spread of Covid-19.