Lalbaughcha Raja 2020: In a first, Mumbai’s iconic and famed Lalbaugcha Raja will not be installed during the upcoming 11-day Ganesh Chaturthi Utsav, official sources said on Wednesday. Mumbai's Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal has decided not to hold Ganeshotsav this time in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. Instead of the 11-day long festivity, a blood & plasma donation camp will be set up in its place, the committee has said. Also Read: National Doctor's Day 2020: Salute The Frontline Warriors; Know The Theme And Significance

As per a report by IANS, it will be replaced by a small idol of around 3-4 feet will be set up for traditional puja and other ceremonies. The traditional puja will also not be opened for public sources have said.

It is said that around one crore people gather every year to participate in Mumbai's famous Ganesh Utsav celebrations.

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Usually the idol is an imposing 15-feet plus tall statue of Lalbaugcha Raja. Other mega-idols in Mumbai, Pune and other cities will be conspicuous by their absence in the Maharashtra Ganeshotsav celebration starting August 22. Also Read | Unlock 2.0 In Effect From Today; What Are The New Relaxations & What Continues To Be Prohibited | Check Fresh Guidelines

Few days ago, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had appealed to celebrate Ganeshotsav 2020 with more devotion and lesser of pomp and show, as Coronavirus pandemic continues to cause a  mayhem in the state.

In view of Thackeray''s plea, all Ganeshotsav Mandals in the state, especially those which are renowned for the giant-sized idols, took a voluntary decision to restrict the height of Ganesha to less than four feet.

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