20 Udipi chefs feed devotees at a Wadala Ganpati pandal
The aroma of coconut oil and chants of mantra were experienced by devotees in the GSB Ganpati pandal of Wadala Ram mandir. The uniqueness of this mandal is that lord Ganesha sits in the verandah (open place) of Ram Mandir during annual 11 days Ganesh festival, wherein lakhs of devotees visit the place for worship.
Subhash Pai, convenor of GSB Ganpati Wadala, said that the day starts with breakfast and then food is served for the rest of the day. Pai said,
“Twenty chefs have been brought in from Udupi, Karnataka, to cook food which is served to devotees. Every day more than 3,000 devotees visit the place and have food over here.”
58-year-old cook Ganpati Shanbaugh who leads the GSB kitchen for the past many years said, “With me 20 other cooks help in cooking the food. Dal, rice, deserts and different vegetables are cooked in natural coconut oil and spices. The food served over here has southern flavour.”
The mandir has three different places to serve food to the devotees. At a time 250 people in one place can sit together and have food. There is also a separate place made for Very Important People (VIPs) in the pandal itself.
Shanbaugh further stated that once the festive season is over they return back to their hometown Udupi Karnataka.
Unlike other sarvajanik Ganesh mandals, GSB Ganpati of Wadala and Matunga are the only two mandals that conduct pooja of different forms. From morning 7 am, 38 priests perform hawan (bonfire pooja) at a time, Pai said.
Interestingly, not just senior citizens are seen participating in the functioning of festival but even youngsters are willingly seen taking part. Harish E. Shanbaugh studying Masters in Industrial Engineering at Texas comes every year with great spirit and devotion celebrate the Ganesh festival at GSB mandal.
He said, "My father used to do seva (work) of lord Ganesha during the Ganpati festival and I am taking the legacy forward. I came in Mumbai on August 3 and on last day of immersion I will return back to the US for my studies. Ganesh festival always gives beautiful memories which I can store for the rest of the year.”
Apart from attending to devotees Harish E. Shanbaugh looks after the decoration of the pandal.
Ulhas Kamat, one of the priests of GSB ganpati mandal said, “The idol carries only 50 per cent of jewellery which the devotees have donated in last ten years. From toe to crown the Ganpati idol is adorned with gold jewellery. Also during Ganpati immersion police officials with hand guns provide security to the idol.”