Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that is celebrated to mark the birth of the elephant-headed god, Lord Ganesh. He is the god of wisdom and prosperity who is worshipped at the very beginning of any auspicious event. Ganpati idols are decorated with vibrant colours and sculpted artistically by people all over the country. Devotees worship Ganesha by singing prayers, fasting and offering food delicacies to god. On the last day the idol is immersed in the river or any other water body, this day is known as Ganpati Visarjan.
The festival was started by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893 for the encouragement of togetherness and unity amongst Indians. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India and even in parts all over the world. The festival starts on the Chaturthi of Bhadrapada month in the Hindu calendar and the last day of the festival is the 10th day which is Anant Chaturdashi.
Lal Baugh Ganpati Mandal is one of the oldest Ganpati Mandal in the buzzing city, Mumbai. The Lalbaughcha Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal builds a Pandal and celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with extreme zest and is located in Putlabai Chawl. The worship area came into existence in the year 1934. First idol was established by the fishermen and vendors of the market.
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The area was comprised of textile mills numbering to around 130 but at the time of industrialisation, the market was shut down. Later a small land area was given to them and they decided to dedicate a part of it to the Ganpati idol establishment. Since 1935, the Kambli family has taken the responsibilty of sculpting and painting the idols. Since past years, Ratnakar Kambli and his family are designing the Lalbaughcha Raja.
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Every year Lord Ganpati is dressed in different ways based on themes and called 'Raja' which signifies the king. The celebration goes on for 10 days long where people enjoy by staying up all night and worshipping Ganesha. On an average, around one crore devotees visit the Lalbaughcha Raja every year. Pandal's unique theme at Lalbaughcha Raja never fails to amaze the devotees. Navsachi line and the Mukh Darshanachi line are the two lines for devotees from which the former takes you up to the idol whereas the later is from a distance afar. Devotees wait for hours to just get a single glance and receive the blessing of Ganesha.
Before a few years, the colours were made well in advance by the family which was time-consuming but now they are all ready-made. Idol was made of plaster of Paris but now since we need to be environmentally conscious, clay and paper are used. It is believed that all wishes of the devotees are fulfilled when one bows at Lalbaughcha Ganesha.
Devotees eagerly wait for Ganesha to return next year.
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