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