Blog Archives
Biggest and famous Ganpatis of Mumbai
Mumbaicha Raja
Where: Ganesh Galli, Mumbai
Famous for: Oldest Ganesh pandal in the city
The history: One of the oldest known Ganesh pandals in the state, the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli started the festival in 1928 to inspire people to fight for their rights in the pre-independence era. Throughout the 10 days of the festival, after the evening pooja, the organisers would host plays like the Ramayana and Mahabharata and screen regional movies to raise awareness about India’s rich culture and various art forms.
In the year 1977, the pandal entered its 50th year and to celebrate the occasion, erected a 22 ft idol, which went on to become the first biggest Ganesh idol in the whole of Maharashtra. While the record was subsequently broken by Khetwadicha Raja in the year 2000, the organisers have ensured to keep the idol well over 20 ft since then. This is despite the BMC issuing a warning to restrict the height of idols to 18 feet.
The idol this year: The 22 ft idol designed by Biharilal giri and 200 workers is set against the backdrop of Pashupathinath temple, Nepal. The entrance to the pandal features the 12 famous jyotirlingas in the country.
“A lot of people in our country are religious and due to lack of time and resources are unable to visit the sacred places. Every year, we attempt to replicate one of these temples to make people aware of our culture and heritage and also give them a real-life experience of visiting the place,” shared Swapnil Parab, secretary to the mandal.
Girgaoncha Raja
Where: Girgaon, Mumbai
Famous for: It’s the tallest, eco-friendly idol made of clay
The history: In 1928, Ramchandra Tendulkar, who was the Mandal’s treasurer at that time, started the Ganesh Utsav in the Nikadvari Lane. The speciality of the Ganesh idol at Girgaon is that it is one of the few idols in the state that is made out of clay.
Unlike the regular idols which are made out of Plaster of Paris, the Girgaoncha Raja is made of Shadu clay, a special type of clay which is imported from West Bengal and is also used to make Durga idols for the Durga pooja.
Another tradition here is that since the last 85 years, the Patkar family is in charge of making the idols, which are peculiarly over 20 feet in height every year.
The idol this year: This year, too, the idol is 21 feet high and is sculpted by architect Rajan Patkar. The idol weighs 2 tons.
Sanjay Harmalkar, the secretary to the Mandal informs me that they want to spread the message of eco-friendliness through their clay idols.
“Every year, after the immersion, we see so many fragments of PoP Ganeshas in the sea. Not only is it disrespectful to the idol, but it is also harmful to the environment. The cleaning up also takes longer time. Although difficult to make, the advantage of clay idols is that they melt easily during immersion. On behalf of my Mandal, I’d like to request everyone to choose eco-friendly Ganeshas over PoP ones,” says Harmalkar who has been using the mandal’s Facebook page to spread this message among young people.
Lalbaugcha Raja
Where: Lalbaug, Mumbai
Famous for: It is known to fulfil your wishes
The history: In 1932, a temporary but prime market place in the Peru Chawl area of Lalbaug was shut down by the government. The fishermen and vendors who lost their livelihood decided to pray to Ganesha to help them with a permanent place to do business. Thanks to the efforts of a few councillors in the area, a new market was constructed in the same place.
In celebration, the localites formed the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Lalbaug in 1934.
Since Ganesha fulfilled the wish (navas) of the fishermen and vendors, the Lalbaug Ganpati also came to be known as ‘the wish-fulfilling one.’
The first Ganesh idol was incepted on September 12, 1934. Since then, the mandal is thronged with visitors throughout the 10 days of the festival.
The idol this year: The Ganesh idol this year stands 12 feet tall and took two months to be ready. Santosh Kambli, who sculpted the idol this year, belongs to the third generation of architects responsible for the patented design and decorations of the Raja.
The cost of the idol is Rs 60,000, but the decorations and other arrangements work up to 17 lakhs.
During the 10 day event, the pandal is visited by over 1 crore visitors every year and on weekends, organisers inform that it becomes difficult to accommodate people in the 3 lakh sq ft area surrounding the pandal.
Lalbaugcha Raja is also one of the richest Ganeshas in the whole of Maharashtra.
“Our every day collections sometimes round up to a crore. Just yesterday’s collections touched 85 lakhs,” informed Rajendra Lanjwal, treasurer of the mandal.
Lanjwal reveals that the money thus collected is utilised for social purposes under the initiative titled Lalbaugcha Raja Prabhodini. Some of the projects financed under the Lalbaugcha Raja Prabhodini include the Sane Guruji Abhyasika (a place for children to study), Swatantryaveer Savarkar Library, Sant Dnyaneshwar Reference Book Bank, Swami Vivekanand Scholarship (Scholarships for poor and deserving students) and Competitive examination counselling centre (to prepare students for IAS and IPS exams).
Khetwadicha Ganraj
Where: Lane 12, Khetwadi, Mumbai
Famous for: They made the tallest ever Ganesh idol in Maharashtra
The history: When the Khetwadi Mandal was incepted in 1959, it had humble beginnings. However, in 1984, the members of the Mandal started collecting one rupee coins as donation towards their dream of making the largest Ganpati in the state.
With each passing year, the height of the Ganesh idol rose from 28 to 35 feet high. In the year 2000, the Khetwadi Mandal fulfilled their long cherished dream and created history. They made the highest idol of Ganesha — a whopping 40 feet high statue replete in Parshuram Avtar, which is claimed to be the highest idol of Ganesh in the Indian history.
Since then, there has been no looking back for them.
The idol this year: The organisers have tried to recreate Mumbai’s Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple this year. The 15 feet tall idol is made from Plaster of Paris and is adorned by jewels and accessories made of pure gold. It is designed by architect Raju Shinde and claims to be the fourth richest Ganesha this year next to GSB Seva Mandal, Sion, GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, Wadala and Lalbaugcha Raja.
Over 100 workers have assisted Shinde in completing the idol, which cost the Mandal Rs 1, 20,000. “We spent close to Rs 40 lakhs on the decorations and theme,” added Ranjeet Mathur, President, Khetwadi Mandal.
In the past, this Mandal has recreated themes like the Sheesh Mahal (palace of mirrors), Raj Mahal (Palace of the King), Swarg Mahal (Palace in Heaven) and Deep Mahal (Palace of Lamps).
GSB Samaj Ganeshotsav
Where: Ram Mandir, Wadala
Famous for: Adorned in a 22 karat gold-plated throne and precious jewels, it’s the richest Ganesh idol in the city
The history: The Goud Saraswat Brahmin Samaj started the festival in 1955 with the sole aim of uniting the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community in Mumbai. Over the years, it is said to have answered the prayers of lakhs of people from different communities which went on to attract visitors from various parts of Mumbai. While some of them rewarded in cash, others donated gold and coins to the deity. In the year 2011, the GSB Samaj sought an insurance cover of Rs 222 crore for the idol. Needless to say, the GSB Samaj Ganesha is known to be the richest deity in the city.
The idol this year: The 8-feet high idol adorned in gold and jewels donated by its visitors is a sight to behold.
“We offer various poojas for our visitors throughout the day at subsidised costs. Everyone is equal before God and it is our duty to spread the message through the festival. We want people to experience peace and divinity while they are here,” shared NN Pal, trustee chairman, GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, Wadala.
Bhandarkarcha Raja
Where: Bhandarkar Road, Matunga East, Mumbai
Famous for: Provides food to over 20,000 people through the festival
The history: In 1962, a few residents from Bhandarkar Road area came together to start the festival and promote a social cause. Unlike the other Ganesh pandals which collect money from locals and residents for the festival, the Bhandarkar Road Sarvajanik Seva Samiti works in peculiar way.
“We don’t go door to door collecting money. Whatever money comes through donations is used to make the idol. Even the jewels and throne are not owned by the mandal. There are some noble people who have agreed to contribute to it. After the festival, they take it with them and provide it again the following year,” informs Rajendra Verma, a committee member who has taken leave from work to look into the arrangements.
The idol this year: The 11-ft idol designed by Ashok Parab stands in a busy street in Matunga. Every child who visits the idol is offered a chocolate bar instead of sweets.
Each evening through the 10-day festival, after the 8 pm aarti, the Samiti provides food to over 20,000 people, most of whom include poor children from the slums. The nearby locals have also allowed them to use the building space below to let senior citizens enjoy the meal in peace.
Andhericha Raja
Where: Andheri, Mumbai
Famous for: Besides fulfilling people’s wishes, the pandal is known to replicate larger-than-life themes every year
The history: About 47 years ago, a few factory workers had moved from Lalbaug area of Mumbai to settle in the western area of Andheri, Mumbai next to their respective factories — the Golden Tobacco Company, Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Ltd.
These people, missed visiting and celebrating the Ganesh festival in Lalbaug and hence started the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee in 1966 with the festive aim in mind.
Over the years, it has replicated various themes in its pandal which include famous temples like the Akshardham, Somnath, Mangueshi and Saras Baug.
The idol this year: This year Andhericha Raja has replicated the Jain Dilwara temples of Mount Abu, Rajasthan. The idol has been designed by Raju Savla whose family has been entrusted the responsibility of making the Raja since three generations now.
Besides Savla, over 50 workers have contributed towards readying the pandal in two months.
The decoration has alone cost over Rs 30 lakhs, informed a committee member of the mandal.
Unlike the other Ganeshas that are immersed on Anant Chaturthi, this is the only Ganpati which is immersed on Sankashti, which falls five days after Anant Chaturthi.
Like the Lalbaugcha Raja, even Andhericha Raja is a wish fulfilling one, and is visited by over 10 lakh people every year.
Lalbaugcha Raja 2012
First few images of our favorite Lalbaugcha Raja, sourced from various sources.
Source: Rupali Kalav
Source: http://thenagpurguru.blogspot.in/2012/08/firstlook-of-lalbaugcha-raja-2012-mumbai.html
Eco-ganesha 2012: Get ready for a green festivity
A look at Santa Cruz resident, Yogesh Vaidya’s installations to house Lord Ganesh, popularly termed as makhars in the local lingo, hints at an ornate yet an eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi.
“I have switched to makhars made of recycled paper for the past five years as thermocol is non-biodegradable,” said the ex-merchant navy officer Yogesh Vaidya.
Vaidya travelled all the way upto Virar to pickhis makhar from Vilas Murudkar, an art teacher who specialises in making antiquated eco-friendly makhars.
“There are very few artists in the city who make eco-friendly makhars. A few work out of workshops in Lalbaug, however Murudkar’s work is one of it’s kind,” said Vaidya.
Murudkar’s creations are made of newspapers and rice husk fibres. “Newspaper is torn into tiny pieces and soaked overnight. It is later rolled into a dough with mixing agents, set into earthen moulds and left to dry in sun. The makhars are finished by hand painting them,” explains Murudkar.
A graduate of JJ School of Art, Murudkar began making eco-friendly makhars, a year back after ex- mayor Shubha Raul refused to inaugurate his exhibition of thermocol installations. Priced at Rs2,500, these makhars can house two-feet idols. He has made lesser pieces this year as he rues that the public response to eco-friendly makhars is poor, last year he sold only 30 of 70 makhars he made. Murudkar however feels that with rising levels of air and soil pollution in Mumbai, the civic body needs to ban thermocol and plastic decorations in the market.
Environmental experts say that Styrofoam component in thermocol causes disposal problems and advises the masses to switch to eco-friendly decorations. Thermocol lingers in the ecosystem for more than 200 years, spreading toxins in the soil and render it infertile. Thermocol installations easily catch fire, which releases carcinogenic dioxins, that cause hormonal imbalances in people,” said environmentalist Rishi Aggarwal.
Source: http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_eco-ganesha-2012-get-ready-for-a-green-festivity_1741476
Fallen Ganpati idol to rise again this year
Organisers of the Ganesha Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Trust in Lalbaug are on tenterhooks this year. Their towering 21-feet-high Ganpati idol took a tumble during last year’s immersion procession, leaving many devotees and organisers in despair. To set their minds at rest, they have decided to commission a replica of last year’s idol this year, and give it a proper immersion.
This year’s idol will stand 18 feet tall, in keeping with new guidelines set by the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvaya Samiti.
Sculptor Rajan Zad, who has been making the idol for this mandal for the past 27 years, claims that he has been having sleepless nights since the ‘fall’ last year, and can’t wait to redeem himself by constructing a replica of the same idol this year.
He has 12 years of experience in crafting towering Ganpati idols. The idol was constructed against a single pole last year, possibly causing it to plummet.
Zad said, “Immersion day last year was one of the most unfortunate days in my life, as the idol I created was not properly immersed. Whenever I make idols I get very attached to them. The design of the idol last year was very dear to me, and so I wanted to make a replica of it this year.
When the mandal asked me to create their mandal this year, I jumped at the opportunity. The only difference is that this idol would be 18 feet high instead of last year’s 21. This year I will take more precautions, and will fix more support to the idol so that there is no chance of accidents.”
The mandal and the residents of Tejukaya area in Lalbaug are also happy with the decision to recreate last year’s idol, as they want to give their lord a proper immersion, which they couldn’t last year due to the fall.
Mangesh Shinde, a member of the mandal, said, “It was decided unanimously by our residents and our mandal to have the same idol this year, standing on the dhol just like last year. We didn’t change the height because we were scared of another fall, but because of the rule set by the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvaya Samiti setting the maximum permissible height for idols at 18 feet.”
The long and the short of it
A new rule implemented this year prevents mandals from constructing idols that surpass a maximum height of 18 feet. The rule has been brought into force by the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), an umbrella body which coordinates with Ganpati festival organisers and the civic authority, along with the Mumbai Murtikar Sangh. Many mandals however have decided to ignore the new rule and have commissioned idols over 20 feet tall, citing tradition.
Source: http://www.ndtv.com/article/cities/fallen-ganpati-idol-to-rise-again-this-year-260175
Ganesh Chaturthi: Richest Ganpati mandal of Mumbai gets Rs 224-crore cover
Top officials of insurance companies have their “fingers crossed” in the hope of landing the biggest accounts at Ganeshotsav. The city’s wealthiest mandal, GSB King’s Circle, has sought a cover of Rs 224 crore while Lalbaugcha Raja has trebled its policy from Rs 14 crore to Rs 45 crore.
The premium amount for such a deal would naturally run into several lakhs, an extremely profitable deal for a cover spanning 15-30 days.
Ganesh Chaturthi falls on September 19 and the 10-day festival ends on Anant Chaturdashi on September 29.
Befitting its status as the wealthiest organizer in the city, the GSB Seva Mandal at King’s Circle has insured its celebration for Rs 224 crore. Senior-most trustee Satish Nayak says, “Last year, we took a cover of Rs 220 crore. This season, the figure has risen owing to the value of goldjewellery that adorns the deity.”
So sought after is the competition for the GSB account that the mandal had floated tenders for insurance companies. Around six of India’s leading firms responded with quotations and the mandal will announce a selection shortly. A senior official of New India Assurance says he is “crossing his fingers and is optimistic that the company will beat the competition”. “Ours may not be the lowest quote but it is the most comprehensive,” he says.
Nayak breaks down the component of the policy. “There is an all-risk cover of Rs 22.11 crore and a standard fire policy of Rs 1 crore. A public liability or third-party insurance of Rs 20 crore is included. The lion’s share of Rs 182 crore has been reserved for personal accident cover for 1,819 people, including volunteers, electricians and other labourers. That works out to roughly Rs 10 lakh per head,” he says. A small club in the playground where the mandal hosts its festivities has also been covered for Rs 35 lakh.
The GSB deity is installed for five days unlike the full 10 days that other sarvajanik mandals celebrate but even in this short span, its earnings outdo the rest. “Our visarjan will take place on September 23. Still, the insurance policy spans a duration of 15 days—from September 12 to 27, until the ornaments are safely deposited in bank,” says Nayak.
Over in Lalbaug, the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal has trebled its insurance cover from Rs 14 crore to Rs 45 crore. New India Assurance has netted this deal. “We have raised the personal accident cover for every visitor from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 6.25 lakh. The premium for the entire month works out to Rs 10-11 lakh, which is not too high considering we receive lakhs of devotees,” says Lalbaug treasurer Rajendra Lanjwal.
Related articles
- Mumbai Mandals want squares near pandals to be named after Ganesh (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
Women debut in Ganpati mandal’s parent body
Breaking the glass ceiling for the first time in its history, the governing body of Ganpati mandals co-opted for six women on the committee. Affiliated mandals are expected to do so as well.
The president of the Bruhanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, Naresh Dahibawkar, said, “This move will bring greater transparency and professionalism to the functioning of the parent body of Ganpati mandals. Reservation for women is working well in the civic body and at the gram panchayat level. We even saw a woman as president of India, so I think it is time we did so too. Our women members are from Dongri, Lalbaug and Parel and these areas have a strong presence on the Ganeshotsav landscape.”
Among the co-opted members is Byculla resident Aruna Jaitpal, a Western Railway employee who incidentally had created a record in her previous posting. She was among the first three women cashiers to be appointed to the railway’s important cash and pay department. “Our job was to collect the cash that came from all parts of the city, count it and then deposit it in the bank. The role entails a lot of responsibility and I think it was my integrity that has helped me secure this prestigious post in the Samanvay Samiti today.”
Jaitpal had worked alongside Dahibawkar in Samanvay Samiti for many years and felt that the formal appointment of women would be a welcome change. “I suggested that not just the governing body, but each Ganpati mandal should appoint at least one woman. I am happy the board thought so too,” Jaitpal said.
Ganesh Pandals 2011 – Popular Ganapati Pandals 2011 in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi
Thousands of Ganesh Pandals are put up in Mumbai during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival (September 1, 2011 to September 11). This is a list of popular Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav in 2011. Each Ganapati mandal tries to outsmart the other by bringing in fresh ideas to the pandals and in Ganesh murtis. Lord Ganesha is represented differently in each pandal. It is impossible to say which one Sarvajanik Pandal is the best but there a few Vianayak pandals that get attraction due to history, devotion, simplicity, tradition, and innovative ideas. And there are also several wish fulfilling Ganeshas.
Here is a list of Ganapati pandals in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi 2011. Please note that the list is not based on any criteria. Details of more mandals will be added.
Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
This is one of the most popular Ganesh Mandals in Mumbai and attracts nearly a million people during the 12-day celebrations and is also one of the rich Ganesh mandals in Mumbai. (you can get more details at the official website of Lalbaugcha Raja )
G S B Seva Mandal King Circle Wadala (Matunga)
Gowd Saraswat Brahmin community Seva Mandal is popularly known as the Golden Ganesh in Mumbai. One of the most popular Ganesha Pandal in Mumbai, G S B Ganapati adorns jewellery of gold and silver worth 100 million rupees. ( you can get more details at the official website of G S B Seva Ganapati)
Andhericha Raja – Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee – Andheri
This wish fulfilling Ganesha Sarvajanik celebration attracts thousands of people and each aspect of the pandal is sponsored by people who had their wishes fulfilled. The committee has already got sponsors till 2029. Such is the popularity of Andhericha Raja. ( you can get more details at the official website of Andhericharaja)
Girgaoncha Raja – Nikadvari Lane Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaon
Girgaoncha Raja is organized by the 84-year-old Nikadvari Lane Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandal. They always opt for an eco-friendly Ganpati idol and is usually more than 20 feet tall. Girgaoncha Raja is located near Charni road railway station.
Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav mandal, Ganeshgalli
Established in 1928, Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav mandal at Ganeshgalli is noted for its decorations and also has history associated with it. (You can get more details here.)
Khetwadi Cha Raja – Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotsav Mandal, Khetwadi
Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotsav Mandal, Khambata Lane at Khetwadi was established in 1970. In 2011, a 28-feet tall Bal Ganesh standing on an elephant’s trunk on three toes will be a major attraction at this Mandal.
You can get more details of Khetwadi Cha Raja here at the official website.
Khattar gali, Girgaon
Khattar gali mandal at Girgaon was established in 1965. The mandal uses Ganesh Chaturthi to create social awareness.
Keshavji Naik chawl ganesh mandal, Girgaon
The festival at Keshavji Naik chawl ganesh mandal is more than 100 years old and was started in 1893. The mandal is noted for its small Ganesh idol and eco-friendly celebrations.
Bal Gopal Mitra Mandal at Vile Parle
This Mandal is popular for promoting eco-friendly Ganesha. This is the 23rd year of celebration. You can get more details about this mandal here at their website.
Sahyadri Krida Ganesh Mandal at Tilak Nagar, Chembur
The highlight in 2011 of this Mandal is the replica of Akshardham Temple in Delhi.
Source: http://www.hindu-blog.com/2011/08/ganesh-pandals-2011-popular-ganapati.html
Mumbai Mandals offer sneak peek of idols
MUMBAI: Counting the hours rather than days before Ganeshotsav arrives on September 1, the city’s famous mandals have begun unveiling their idols and security arrangements to draw devotees.
Lalbaug, the nerve centre of celebration, wore an air of festivity on Monday as two major pandals provided the first glimpse of their idols. The Lalbaugcha Raja as well as the Tejukaya mandal unveiled their deities. The 12-ft idol of the Raja sits smiling on his throne in the same position as he does each year while Tejukaya has used the services of homegrown artisan Rajan Zhad to craft a tableau on farmers’ suicides.
At the nearby Ganesh Galli, which houses the Mumbaicha Raja, the team is preparing to dedicate jeweller Sanjay Vedak’s 5-kg golden necklace to the lord on the morning of Chaturthi. “Workers are toiling round the clock to fashion the exquisite Mallikarjun jyotirling at the pandal this year. Like them, mandal members have barely been sleeping two hours a day,” says organiser Swapnil Parab. In a warm gesture, Ganesh Galli will host a special aarti for policemen and one for journalists to acknowledge their contribution to the festival.
In the suburbs, the Andhericha Raja of Azad Nagar will reveal its decor at a ceremony on Tuesday. “We have created a replica of the Akshardham temple of Gujarat while the guests will be welcomed with a vast sand sculpture of the Kerala Padmanabha Swamy templewhose wealth is a topic of conversation these days,” says mandal spokesperson Uday Salian.
In a probable first, Andhericha Raja has secured anti-terrorism insurance worth Rs 46 lakh. “Of our Rs 2.15 crore insurance policy, this amount will cover devotees in case of a terrorist attack,” says Salian.
Lalbaugcha Raja president Ashok Pawar said his mandal had been insured for Rs 14 crore of which Rs 5 crore covered devotees, Rs 3 crore was set aside for the pandal and Rs 6 crore for the jewellery the Raja wears.
Unlike its tall, Maharashtrian counterpart, the South Indian style Ganapathy of the GSB mandal in Wadala has more rounded features. It is deemed as one of the richest idols in the city due to the gold ornaments that devotees lavish upon it each year. Mandal representative N N Pal says, ”We invite 30-40 priests from Karnataka and Goa each year to cater to the rush for our special pujas that are performed without any short cuts. This is our true wealth.”
Related articles
- Ganesh Pandals 2011 – Popular Ganapati Pandals 2011 in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Rich and famous Kerala temple now in Mumbai – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Manuals for Ganesha mandals to help fight terror (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Pray to a foot-in-mouth Ganesha (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Eco-friendly worship catching on in Ahmedabad (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- NGO begins ‘Green Ganesha’ campaign (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Jaipur: Sculptors of Lord Ganesh the symbols of knowledge live below the poverty line (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
Lalbaugcha Raja neighbours get photo IDs
If you are a guest of one of the residents of Lalbaug and plan to visit your relatives during Ganeshotsav, it is not going to be a breeze.
The residents of Lalbaug would be forced to carry photo identity cards during the 11 days of the festival, which starts on September 1.
The ID check comes in after the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh Mandal decided at a meeting two days ago to issue photo identity cards to around 2,500 residents staying in the 700 houses in the area where the Raja holds court.
Rupesh Pawar, a member of Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh Mandal, confirmed the news. “We arrived at the decision in order to strengthen security arrangements so that no one sneaks in by giving the reference of a resident in order to get the darshan.”
“The crowds thronging Lalbaug during Ganeshotsav cross the 20 lakh-mark every day. Many people try to avoid the queue, saying they are going to meet relatives in the area.
To avoid this, we are issuing photo ID cards to residents”, said a senior member of the mandal. He added that it was also to reinforce the security against anti-social elements.
For two years now, they Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh mandal has stopped taking money for the Raja’s habiliments.
The mandal used to have a waiting list of 70-80 people every year, desirous of dressing the Raja after their wishes were fulfilled.
Rs 14 crore
The amount Lalbaugcha Raja has been insured for this year, almost three times more than its last year’s insurance cover (R5 crore).
20 Lakh
The number of people, who throng Lalbaugcha Raja every day during the 10-day festival.
Source: http://www.mid-day.com/news/2011/aug/270811-King-Circle-Rs-222cr-insurance-GSB-ganpati-devotees.htm
Related articles
- Ganesh Pandals 2011 – Popular Ganapati Pandals 2011 in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Manuals for Ganesha mandals to help fight terror (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Eco-friendly worship catching on in Ahmedabad (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- City will be free of potholes before Ganpati, says mayor (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
Ganpati mandal that replicates monuments
Reetika Subramanian, Hindustan Times
The Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, popularly known as the Ganesh Galli Mandal, has for the past nine years recreated various Indian monuments at its Parel pandal. This Ganeshotsav, the mandal, in its 83rd year, will erect a replica to Srisailam Mallikarjun temple located in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
“Not everyone can afford to visit the monuments in the country’s interiors. Thus, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the mandal in 2002, we decided to use the Ganeshotsav as a platform to bring the monuments to the devotees, staying true to its original form,” said Swapnil Parab, the mandal secretary’s, adding that this has been the USP of the city’s tallest Ganpati idol.
Right from Madurai’s Meenakshi temple to Rajasthan’s Hawa Mahal, Delhi’s Akshardham temple to the Chamundeshwari Temple of Mysore, the organisers have recreated several marvels in plaster of paris. Parab said the mandal would replicate the intricate patterns of the original pillars of the Kurnool temple. “The Mallikarjuna Temple located in Srisailam is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Shiva. The temple has great significance in the Hindu puranas and has been referred to in the Mahabharata,” said Parab. At the centre of the 10,000 sq ft Ganesh Galli maidan, the stage has already been erected, the roof has been raised, truckloads of plaster of paris have been emptied, and the karigars (local sculptors) are busy adding finishing touches to the 22-feet tall Ganpati idol.
The mandal has appointed a new murtikar (idol maker), Vijay Khatu, who has been in the business for the last 43 years, to mould the idol.
“It is an honour to be working on a murti that is worshipped by more than 70,000 devotees everyday during the festival,” said Khatu.
Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/Ganpati-mandal-that-replicates-monuments-/Article1-737233.aspx
Related articles
- Ganesh Pandals 2011 – Popular Ganapati Pandals 2011 in Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Pray to a foot-in-mouth Ganesha (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Rich and famous Kerala temple now in Mumbai (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Manuals for Ganesha mandals to help fight terror (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
- Pay Homage To Holy Ganesha At Bangalore’s One And Only Dodda Ganesha Temple (mylordganesha.wordpress.com)
