A tribute to Covid-19 hardships: How Durga Puja is being celebrated amid the pandemic

As the festive season approaches, Bengalis everywhere gear up to celebrate a toned down Durga Puja amid the coronavirus pandemic. Various committees have paid tribute to the crisis faced by migrant labourers during the lockdown while some have expressed their gratitude by putting models of essential workers in their pandals. Here is a peek at how the festival is being celebrated this year:  

An artisan works on a model of a migrant mother symbolising Hindu Goddess Durga, holding a child and being surrounded by relief material as a theme decoration to create awareness about the migrant labourers' social issues during the lockdown previously imposed due to the Covid-19. Credit: AFP Photo

Artisan Ashish Ghosh gives finishing touches to an idol made of bamboo ahead of the Durga Puja festival, at Bonerpukur Danga in Birbhum district. Credit: PTI Photo

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee showing organizers how to make round marks for the visitors, to maintain social distancing norms, after inaugurating a community Durga Puja pandal, in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

An artisan works on decorations near an idol of the ten-armed Hindu Goddess Durga at a makeshift place for worship, ahead of the Hindu festival 'Durga Puja' in Kolkata. Credit: AFP Photo

Artist Sanatan Dinda gives finishing touches on an idol of the ten-handed Hindu Goddess Durga at a makeshift place for worship ahead of the Hindu festival 'Durga Puja' in Kolkata. Credit: AFP Photo

Kanakpura Road Bengali Association will be hosting a members-only puja with attendance of 10 people, this year in Bangalore. Credit: DH File Photo

People visit a crowded market ahead of Durga Puja festival, in Kolkata. Credit: PTI Photo

Models of migrant labourers used as a theme decoration to create awareness about the migrant labourers' social issues during the lockdown previously imposed due to the coronavirus pandemic are kept under plastic sheets at a makeshift place for worship ahead of the Hindi festival 'Durga Puja' in Kolkata. Credit: AFP Photo