A mandal where you can pay for the Ganesh idol only after 2030

The idol at popular sarvajanik Ganesh mandal of Mumbai suburb considered as “the king Of Andheri” is booked till 2030.

Many believe that King of Andheri and King of Lalbaugh are iccahapurti iccahapurti Ganpatis (whatever you pray the God listens and fullfils them). Therefore, at King of Andheri, the devotees as part of their devotion donates the 8.5 feet tall idol to the mandal from past many years.

Uday Salian, spokersperson of King of Andheri mandal, said devotees usually pay the money for installation of the idol. Hence, they started a system since 1996 in which anybody wishing to donated money are allowed to so. The list of families donating to it has started increasing. Hence, in 2003, the mandal began a lottery of applications received and disclosed names of each family on whose behalf the idol money would be paid to the murtikar (sculptor) for the particular year.

“Till 2030, the idol donation booking is locked. It means that if someone wishes to give money for the idol, they can get the opportunity only after 2030. The response was record breaking. We received applications till 2062 but the committee in future can change. Therefore, we did the lottery till 2030 only.”

Unlike other sarvajanik Ganesh mandals, this idol is immersed on Sankasthi Chaturthi (16th day) which falls on September 9 this year. Even Bollywood celebrities and Marathi film industry visit the place. Interestingly, director Rohit Shetty is also in queue as he too wishes to pay money for the idol.

When veteran actor Jitendra wanted to donate the idol, he was denied as the booking is locked.