If visitors are unable to step out of their homes during Durga puja, the puja will reach their doorstep. Jodhpur Park Saradiya Utsab Committee is rolling out Durga Gari which will take the Goddess on tour across the city.

This is the second Covid-19 induced innovation coming to light after the drive-in darshan announced by another south Calcutta puja hub of Badamtala Ashar Sangha-66 Palli-Nepal Bhattacharjee Street Club triad, reported earlier in Metro.

“Every year, people visit us from neighbourhoods near and far. But with the pandemic raging, many will be scared to go pandal-hopping. This is one way we thought they can have a feel of the Pujas without any risk,” said general secretary of the Jodhpur Park puja Sumanta Roy.

The concept was mooted by theme-maker Bapai Sen. “The inspiration is the chariot of Lord Jagannath. I thought if He can roam the streets and grant darshan to devotees on Rathyatra, why not Devi Durga?” said Sen.

He is carving an idol out pf wood to protect against the elements. “The first vehicle with the goddess will be decorated with patachitra carrying visual messages to defeat the coronavirus demon,” he added. The second will carry the dhaki, residents’ body members and the theme-maker.

There will be theme music and lights too.

The tableaux will be out on the streets from Panchami to Dashami. “The bodhon can happen in say, Shyambazar, the Saptami arati in Garia and the Ashtami anjali in Howrah,” Roy said. “If we get requests from any locality, we will try to reach there. Our slogan this year is Jodhpur Park paray paray (in every locality).”

If travelling Durga is a part of the 68th edition of the puja, virtual Durga is another. Visitors brave enough to reach the puja site will watch the puja on screen. The rituals happening behind closed doors will be beamed live on half a dozen giant LED screens set up close to the pandal.

“The kind of footfall we get will make it impossible for us to maintain social distancing in the visitor queue. We do not want any infection-related accidents,” said Roy.

An app will stream the puja live, as will the puja committee’s website www.jodhpurparkdurgapujo.com.

Sen said he is not charging any remuneration this year. “I have been earning from this festival for 22 years now. This is my turn to give back.”