City mandals take up the temple run for decorations

MUMBAI: Temples have emerged the dominant theme at various Ganesh mandals in the city this year.

Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli made a replica of Surya Mandir in Gwalior, while the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti in Andheri recreated the Chintamani Ganesh temple at Theur.

“Every year, we recreate one of the Ashtavinayak temples at our pandals. This year, it is Chintamani, last year it was a replica of Ballaleshwar temple in Pali, Raigad,” said Subodh Chitnis, treasurer, Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, Andheri.

Chandivali Mhada Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal recreated the Saibaba temple at Shirdi, as their 25th year coincides with the 100th year of samadhi of Sai Baba. The 20,000sqft pandal houses a 17-ft Ganpati idol.

“We have 100 committee members, who have been saving for a grand celebration for the past two to three years. Each of them contributed ₹5,000 this year,” said Sanjay Nalawade, publicity in-charge of the pandal, known as Chandivalicha Maharaja.

Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal has replicated Bruhadeshwar temple of Thanjavur and Khetwadi’s Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, 12th lane, has modelled their decorations on the lines of Akshardham Temple of Delhi Dhamankarnaka Ganesh mandal in Bhiwandi has made a replica of Prem Mandir in Vrindavan.

The mandal, which has been resorting to only eco-friendly ways to build their set, have been making prototypes of temples and historical monuments in the country since 2010.

“With a ban on thermocol, a lot of mandals had to think out of the box,” said Girish Walavalkar, secretary, Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), the umbrella body of mandals.

LALBAUG SARVAJANIK UTSAV MANDAL, GANESH GALLI MADE A REPLICA OF SURYA MANDIR IN GWALIOR