It is that time of the year again when social life revolves around the festival of the Elephant God. Today, MiD DAY brings you the lowdown on two of the many Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals that dot the city
It is that time of the year again when social life revolves around the festival of the Elephant God. Today, MiD DAY brings you the lowdown on two of the many Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals that dot the city
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WHERE: On Kumthekar Road, at 627 Sadashiv Peth, near Chitrashala Press Chowk. (Sardar Vinchurkar was the owner of the Wada.)
THEME: The two-feet-tall deity here represents knowledge as the Ganapati wears Puneri pagdi on His head.
ABOUT THE MANDAL: This is the first Sarvajanik Ganapati established by Lokmanya Tilak on September 24, 1894. Tilak was staying at the Wada at the time and running his law college class for law students. This Ganapati has a special significance and prestige, because Tilak started the first Ganeshotsav from this historic place. This also an important historic place because Tilak and Swami Vivekanand met here in 1892.
SECURITY: Many high-profile visitors are coming to visit the place and the local Vishrambaug police are keeping bandobast here. CM Prithviraj Chavan and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena leader Raj Thackery have been invited during the festival.
Tulshibaug Mitra Mandal Ganapati
WHERE: Tulshibaug Ram Mandir at Tulshibaug Market
THEME: The organisers this year are following the theme of Sai Baba. Three episodes from the life of Sai Baba are painted on mirrors by well-known city artist Vivek Kaitoikar. The incidents include lighting of diyas during Diwali, distribution of khichadi bhog and emersions. Over the years, the highlight of the Tulshibaug Ganapati has been the 15-feet idol, which attracts lakhs of devotees.
ABOUT THE MANDAL: The Tulshibaug Ganapati was started back in 1901 by Lokmanya Tilak and the first idol to be made was of fibre-glass. The mandal's deity is the fourth Ganapati of honour in the city.
SECURITY: To manage the crowd, the organisers will have around 25 volunteers stationed across the mandal day and night. These volunteers have been given informal training to handle the crowd. Apart from the volunteers, private security officials will also be deployed at the mandal throughout the day.
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