MiD DAY takes you on a round of the Ganapatis in the lanes and by-lanes of the city as it celebrates its favourite festival
MiD DAY takes you on a round of the Ganapatis in the lanes and by-lanes of the city as it celebrates its favourite festival
The Ganeshotsav in the city is famous, and the tradition of celebrating the festival as a mass, social event goes back to 1894.
At that time, Lokmanya Tilak and other reformers in the city joined hands to make it successful at the sarvajanik (public) level with a view to uniting people against British rule.
Now, 116 years on, the city that is known as the cultural capital of the state has over 13,000 big and small Ganesh mandals installing idols for the festival that fills the city with joy for 10 days.
People from all over the country as well as abroad eagerly watch the goings-on at these mandals every year. After all, this is carnival time for the masses.
Yesterday we told you about the Ganapati Chowk Mitra Mandal, the Tulshibaug Mandal and the Nimbalkar Talim Mandal. Today we profile three more mandals for you.
Shrimant Dagdushet Halwai Ganapati Mandal trust
The Shrimant Dagdushet Halwai Ganapati is one of the five Ganapatis of Honour in the city. The mandal has created a Rajasthani courtyard this year for decorations.
This is a famous Ganapati mandal, and the Ganapati here one of the most prestigious. The Ganapati was established in 1893 by Shrimant Dagdushet Halwai, a wealthy sweet-maker who was also known for being a wrestler with a kind heart.
He started the sarvajanik Ganesh mandal with Tilak and Bhau Rangari. Dagdusheth Ganapati is known as the last one of the Manache Ganapati, or Ganapatis of Honour.
The Ganapati leaves last in the famous immersion procession of the city and also gets immersed last.
Shrimant means rich, and this Ganapati is true to its name. The richest of all mandals, Dagdudheth is visited by people from all walks of life, who pray and make offerings.
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This year the mandal-cum-trust received Rs 31.06 crore from various well-wishers and donors from not only the city but also from other states. A wealthy Rajasthani businessman donated a 6 kg golden aasan (seat) for the Ganapati.
"Though our mandal is called Shrimant, our efforts are only to please the poorest of the poor who want to get the blessings of Lord Ganesh," said former president Prataprao Godse.
"Our devotees have strong faith in Ganapati and many of them come forward to donate money or ornaments. We are nobody; we are simply the mediators. People also have a strong belief that Dagdusheth Ganapati also fulfils the wishes of devotees."
Yesterday MNS president Raj Thackeray and his family visited theu00a0 mandal.Eminent astrophysicist Dr Jayant Naralikar was present for the pooja and public recitation of Atharvshirsh (sevotional Sanskrit song on Ganapati) this year, and Swami Sudhanshu was present to bless the devotees.u00a0
Mahesh Survavanshi, treasurer of the mandal, said, "We have recreated Bhagyoday Rajprasad, a Rajashthani courtyard for the Ganesh devotees by way of the decorations this year.
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It is showcased in an area of 5,700 square feet and the height is 97 feet. This courtyard is fitted with beautiful lamps and curtains. And the traditional Rajasthani paintings make this place amazing and enchanting."
Referring to a survey, Swapnil Phuge, a senior worker of the mandal, said Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati of the city and Lalbaugcha Raja of Mumbai, two of the oldest and most famous establishments in the state, last year saw crowds of 1.2 million and 12 million.
"We hope that this year the crowd is even more for the darshan of the Lord," he said.For the first time, granite has been used to give the place a real palatial look. Two beautifully carved lions welcome Ganesh devotees at the front gates.
We don't go out of the way to invite celebrities because our Ganapati is for the people.
I have heard that Lata Mangeshkar, who is a great devotee of our Ganapati, wants to visit if she comes to the city during the Ganesh festival.
-- Ashok Godse, president, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganapati Trust
It is really a challenge to work for the decoration of this Ganapati,u00a0 known to be the richest. We have used fibre sheets in vibrant colors for a royal look. Thirty-five carpenters worked for six months and have given fabulous results.
-- Vivek Khatavkar,
decorator
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Bajirao road natubag mandal
LIGHTING UP devotees' lives: The musical lights at Natubaug Mandal on Bajirao Road
The 69-year-old mandal is known for its electric lighting decorations for five decades. The flashing lights around the Ganesh idol are synchronised with the music that is playing at the time and visitors stay to appreciate the entire show.
The Ganesh deity was decorated with flowers on the first day in the 566 square-feet pandal.u00a0
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The mandal was started by veteran kabaddi player Suresh Javalkar in the year 1941. The area was at the time known for being inhabited by the families of truck fitters.
The mandal flourished over the past 50 years as it started attracting the young crowd by showcasing electric lighting and songs from Bollywood films. Folk dances, plays and dance competitions are some of the highlights of the cultural activities at this mandal.
"By spending Rs 10 lakh from the budget for the entire year, we gave swine flu vaccine this year to prevent its spread," said Pramod Kondhare. "We have offered a 101 tola golden necklace to the Ganapati and this year we are planning for a beautiful golden crown for the deity."
Marathi film stars Siddharth Jadhav, Bharat Jadhav and Subodh Bhave have visited the mandal, said Rajendra Paigude, assistant secretary of the mandal.
He added that MLA Madhuri Misal, Vinayak Nimhan, Chandrakant Mokate and Mahadev Babar have also promised to visit the mandal.
Last year there was the fear of swine flu, but we are now free of fear and the festival is being celebrated in a big way. We have also planned for the grand immersion procession in which various avatars of Lord Vishnu will be displayed on a float. We also help the needy.
-- Amit Kank,
vice-president, Bajirao Road Natubag Mandal
It gives me joy to work for the mandal. I love to dance in the immersion procession! I am proud to be a part of this mandal which comes up with different decorations every year.
-- Vrushab Pasalkar, student
Sainath mandal trust
Fresh Ideas: The Sainath Mandal Ganapati in Budhwar Peth
"This mandal is 42 years old," said Amar Hireshikhar, its president. In 1941 Vasudeo Brahme, Babasaheb Shinde and Bapusaheb Damodrae started the mandal in a small way. "They sowed the seeds of inspiration for us and now we do many social activities for this mandal," said Hireshikhar.
The Sainath Mandal Trust does not collect money from the general public. Funds for it come from donors and sponsors. In the last financial year, the annual budget of the trust was Rs 10.13 lakh.
"We spent the money on charity and social causes," said Hireshikhar.
Santosh Rajput, vice-president of the mandal, said, "This year, Sainath Mandal Trust is spreading the message of economical use of water, as the overall groundwater level has dipped. Models have been created on rainwater harvesting and replenishing groundwater. We are inviting schoolchildren to pay a visit."
He said the mandal had been awarded 28 trophies in the past six years."We have won so many awards because we display social themes and come up with ideas that are fresh," he said.
Narendra Vyas, cultural head of the mandal, said, "Mayor Mohansingh Rajpal, MLA Girish Bapat, noted singer Shrinivas Joshi, Minister of State for Home Ramesh Bagwe, DCP Dnyaneshwar Phadtareu00a0 and noted social worker Renu Gavaskar have come visiting our mandal.
We also organise drawing competitions for children and kitchen events for housewives. We believe in Saibaba and therefore a temple has been built many years ago. The small temple is the part of the pandal and people get happy to see the Saibaba idol in the pandal."
There is a rush to see the three-feet-tall Ganesh and the decoration on water use.
We are all young and have worked hard for six months for this.
-- Piyush Shah, executive president of mandal
I have participated in the mandal activities and also acted in the street play Jal Kranti.
I really enjoyed it.
-- Chaitrali Kundalik, social worker
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