No pandal, no idols, no Puja this year at the posh Circuit House Area of Jamshedpur.

The Northern Town and Circuit House Area Durga Puja Committee, that decided to skip this year's festivities because of the pandemic, issued a brief notice on Tuesday.

Signed by president Amitava Bakshi and secretary Biswanath Roy, the notice informed residents that the executive committee had come the conclusion about not celebrating Durga Puja this year in consultation with its members.

The arch-shaped Durga Puja pandal at the Circuit House Area ground in Jamshedpur last year. Bhola Prasad

Umesh Dubey, joint secretary of the committee, said: "We decided to skip this year's Puja as we want people to stay safe. Pandal hoppers, especially all VIPs make it a point to visit our Puja. Apprehending a rush, we decided to skip this year's Puja. This is for the first time in the last 73 years that we decided to skip the annual festival."

The Northern Town and Circuit House Area Durga Puja Committee members enjoy bhog at the Circuit House Area ground in Jamshedpur last year. Bhola Prasad

He, however, said that Puja rituals would be organised in a simple manner at Sakchi Durgabari on Chenab Road, about 2km from the Circuit House Area ground.

The community puja at the Circuit House Area ground organised by Northern Town and Circuit House Area Durga Puja Committee started way back in 1947. It is one of the oldest pujas of steel city.

Women take part in sindoor khela on Dashami at the Circuit House Durga Puja pandal in Jamshedpur last year. Bhola Prasad

Apart from bhog, a beautifully decked up pandal and gorgeous idols, the Puja is known for cultural events like plays, musical evenings, magic shows and the traditional dhunuchi naach of members.

"Sitting at the pandal, chatting with friends and listening to Bengali songs and bands create a perfect Puja ambience at the Circuit House Area. But this year, we will miss all of this,” rued Anamika Singh, a tacher who lives in Sonari.