LALBAUGCHA RAJA MANDAL TO SET UP HEALTH CAMP

For the first time in its 87-yearold glorious history, the famed and iconic Lalbaugcha Raja in Mumbai will be conspicuous by its absence for the devotees during the upcoming Ganeshotsav. Owing to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has decided not to celebrate the festival and instead hold ‘Arogya Utsav.’

According to the mandal officials, the historic decision has been taken to avoid the unprecedented rush of devotees, who stand in queue for long hours to seek the blessings of the deity. “Since last 86 years, we have been celebrating the festival every year. But this year, we have decided to cancel the celebrations as the situation is not conducive. The next Ganesh Chaturthi celebration will be in September

2021 for Lalbaugcha Raja,” said Sudhir Salvi from the Lalbaugcha Raja organising committee.

Instead of installing the Ganesh idol, the mandal has decided to hold blood and plasma donation camps. A mandal official said that they will also donate `25 lakh to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. During the festival period, the families of police personnel, who died due to Covid-19 will be provided financial assistance, he added.

However, the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti — an umbrella organisation of city Ganesh mandals, has asked the Mandal to reconsider its decision.