GANPATI BAPPA
FPJ GUIDE TO PANDAL-HOPPING
GANESH CHATURTHI is round the corner. Festivities have already begun across Maharashtra with artisans giving final touches to Ganpati idols. This year, it will be celebrated for 11 days from August 25. The entire security coverage by Mumbai police will deploy personnel at important pandals. Every mandal has a group of volunteers who are given basic training of working on the lines of BMC’s disaster management work.
During Mumbai’s favourite Ganpati festival, millions will throng mandals to see the most popular idols. Among the famous are those at Keshavji Naik, GSB Ganpati, Ganesh Galli, Girgaoncha Raja, Lalbaugcha Raja, Andheri, Khetwadi, Tilak Nagar Ganpati and at RK Studios.
GANESHA PANDALS TO VISIT
MUMBAICHA RAJA (GANESH GALI) It is celebrating the 90th year, for which the Ganesh idol will have a Sheshnaag — five- headed snake. This idol will be the same as the 1985 idol, which was made by famous sculptor Dinanath Veling. The theme of this pandal is Sripuram Temple, which is located in Vellor inTamil Nadu. Darshan is open to all.
HOW TO GO: From Central Railway, get down at Currey Road or at Chincpokli sStation. To reach Raja’s place will take at least 10 minute from the stations.
LALBAUGCHA RAJA It is popularly known as ‘King of Lalbaug’ and it’s one of the most revered idols situated in central Mumbai. This is the 84th year. This Ganpati is known to be the ‘one who fulfills all wishes’. Interestingly, Lalbaugcha raja mandal has got an insurance cover of
Rs 51 crore this year. This year, the idol is placed in a golden coloured Raj Mahal. The entire set up is made by Bollywood popular artist Nitin Desai. Around 1.5 million people are expected to visit the mandal this year.Tight security with deployment of Mumbai police, Army personnel.
HOW TO GO: From Central Railway, get down at Currey road or at Chincpokli station. It is 10-15 minutes walking distance to reach the lane.
ANDHERICHA RAJA Here the idol will be 8.5-feet high, sculpted by late Vijay Khatu and his team. The theme of the pandal is Bhalleshwar Mandir, which is part of the Ashtavinayak pilgramage. It is also a recreation of scene made 25 years ago by Anand Bhalerao Shinde. The mandal will be fully air-conditioned. Around 550 mandal workers will be deployed. The mandal has got an insurance of Rs 50 crore this year
HOW TO GO: From Andheri Sation, take bus, auto-rickshaw or Metro towards Azad Nagar Station at Veera Desai Road, behind Sports Complex.