Navratri 2020: Pandemic hits demand for Durga idols, sellers await customers

Just like Ganesh Chaturthi, the festival of Navratri has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The idol-makers are awaiting buyers. The state and local governments have appealed to the public to not celebrate Navratri on a grand scale that would lead to crowds. Dandiya, which is organised by the Gujarati community isn’t being held. As a result, the celebration this year is extremely simple and traditional in nature. 

Idol-makers are awaiting buyers

Just like in Ganesh Chaturthi, there is no demand for idols this Navratri. Several idols made for Ganesh Chaturthi remained unsold. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has appealed for a simple celebration of Navratri and Dussehra. Local governments in Mumbai and Pune have put restrictions on large-scale public gatherings.

As a result, idol-makers have made less number of idols this year. 

Rajesh Kumbhar, a Pune-based idol-maker, said that although he has made just a few idols this year, there is no demand for them. This year has been extremely disappointing, he said.

Rajasthani, Bengali artisans didn’t come to Maharashtra

For Navratri, thousands of idol-makers from Rajasthan and West Bengal come to Maharashtra. They arrive two months prior to the commencement of the nine-day festival, in Mumbai, Pune, Nashik and Nagpur and make idols of the goddess Durga.

Every year, they are busy making and selling idols at this time. But this year, they didn’t come to Maharashtra.

Scarcity of clay, colours and other items

This year, artisans have faced a scarcity of clay, colours and other items required for idol-making. That is the reason that despite the lack of demand, the prices of idols are still high. Also, the artisans are disappointed due to the lack of buyers.