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Priests Race Against Time This Ganeshotsav
27 Sep
Summary
- Priests schedule up to 16 households daily, some earning ₹1 lakh.
- Families struggle with rushed ceremonies or use online guidance.
- A shift towards apps and self-performed rituals is evident.
This Ganeshotsav, priests in Mumbai experienced an unprecedented demand, with many juggling packed schedules to accommodate numerous households. Some priests managed up to 40 assignments in a single day, working long hours and employing strategies like 20-minute ceremonies to maximize appointments. One priest reported earning as much as ₹1 lakh on the day of sthapana, with individual puja charges ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000.
The high demand meant families often struggled to find available priests. Many reported experiencing rushed ceremonies or resorting to alternative methods. This led some to use apps for online guidance or to perform rituals themselves. Families are now contemplating booking priests up to six months in advance or exploring digital solutions for future festivals.
The scarcity of priests and the compressed nature of ceremonies have become significant issues. Some priests expressed concern over the quality of hurried rituals, while others acknowledged the economic parallels to ride-hailing apps during peak hours. The trend also points to a declining interest among younger generations in pursuing priestly professions.
