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AHMEDABAD, INDIA, September 20, 2002: Signs of religious revival are evident, especially with regard to Ganesha festivities. The trend is especially evident in areas affected by the riots earlier this year. Ahmedabad, the Panchmahals, Dahod, Vadodara and areas of North Gujarat, which saw large-scale disturbances earlier this year, have also witnessed a significant rise in the number of Ganesha icons during the yearly festival. According to figures available with Vadodara city police, as many as 320 more Ganesha icons were installed in the city this year. Vadodara commissioner of police D D Tuteja said the increase had come to the department’s notice and arrangements were made accordingly. An increase in the number of Ganesha pandals (temporary temples along the street) has also been seen in riot-affected areas like Fatehpura and Limkheda. Sources informed that the Vanvasi Kalyan Parishad had distributed as many as 578 icons this year in the district. In Ahmedabad, the number of Ganesha celebrations has jumped by at least 100. Records of the city police commissioner show that while 480 pujas were registered in 2001, there are more than 580 this time around. All these localities were severely hit during riots. Parag Naik, organizer of the Ganesha Puja at Dakshini Society in Maninagar, says: There are at least 390 large Ganesha Puja celebrations this year, which is more than last year. Maninagar alone has recorded jump from 75 to 150 pujas.

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