Author:
Publication: Sahara Samay
Date: September 15, 2007
URL: http://www.saharasamay.com/samayhtml/Articles.aspx?NewsId=84741
Millions of people here are celebrating the
Ganapati festival, a 10-day event beginning today that will see groups across
the city vying to create the most colourful and attractive marquees.
At least 8,000 to 9,000 'Ganesh Mandals' have
been formed in the city and on the final day of festivities, the idols of
the elephant-headed god will be taken in a large procession for immersion
in rivers in keeping with traditional rituals.
The local Mandals vying with each other to
put up the big idols, are in no mood to deviate from the traditional public
celebration of installing 20-30 feet high idols.
Police have tightened security ahead of the
festival but for nothing will dampen the celebratory mood for the remaining
denizens of Mumbai.
The festival begins with the installation
of idols by households and by the Mandals. According to Maharashtrian almanacs,
there is no specific 'muhurat' for the ritual and the installation can be
done at any time during the day.
The household Ganesha can be immersed even
after one-and-half days -- which suits the hectic life-style of Mumbai --
but the 'Sarvanjanik Ganesh Mandals' (community Ganeshas) will be on exhibit
for 10 days.
The Sarvajaneek Ganeshotsav Samanvay (Coordination)
Committee has around 8,500 mandals as its constituents.
Prominent among these are Lalbagcha Raja Mandal, GSB Seva Mandal, Keshavji
Naik Chawl Mandal in Girgaum, Andhericha Raja Mandal in Andheri and Sahyadri
Krida Mandal in Tilaknagar.
Lalbagcha Raja, in Lower Parel in central
Mumbai, is the the most popular Ganpati as devotees believe it fulfils their
wishes. Last year, it drew 10 lakh visitors every day, the Mandal claims.
Naik Chawl Ganpati was the one where Lokmanya
Tilak started the community Ganesh festival.
Lord Ganesha, affectionately called Ganapati,
is commonly depicted in homes and offices throughout India as a chubby, smiling
and a little mischievous God. His devotees attribute the ability to impart
wisdom and wealth upon humans, thus making him perhaps the most popular deity
in the Hindu pantheon.
