From today, MiD DAY takes you on a round of the Ganapatis in the lanes and by-lanes of the city as it celebrates its favourite festival
From today, MiD DAY takes you on a round of the Ganapatis in the lanes and by-lanes of the city as it celebrates its favourite festival
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Ganeshotsav is celebrated with pomp and splendour in the city. That is how it has been from the time Lokmanya Tilak established the festival --u00a0there's been no looking back since, and it is easily the most popular festival in the city.
During this time, starting with Ganesh Chaturthi, the beats of the dhol-tasha and cries of Ganpati Bappa Morya rend the air, ushering in Ganeshotsav in every nook and corner of the lanes of the city. And that is how it stays till the day of visarjan (immersion of the Ganapati idol).
MiD DAY takes a look at the leading Ganesh mandals in the city, starting with three mandals today.
Ganapati chowk Mitra mandal
king and his subjects: The Ganapati Chowk Mitra Mandal on Laxmi Road this time has a replica of Mumbai's famous Lalbaugcha Raja
You can say Mumbai has come to the city at this mandal on Laxmi Road. For devotees can get a darshan of Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja at this mandap.
"This is the biggest murti in Pune," said Vishal Salvi, mandal president. "We took three months to get this ready. Sculptors Santosh Tak and Avinash Jindam toiled on this to produce this stunning effect."
He said the 16-ft replica is made of 500 kg of iron and 250 kg of plaster of Paris (POP) and is placed in the resplendent Gaj Mahal.
"You can see the gigantic pillars with the elephant god's trunk, so the name is apt," said Salvi. "It uses around 41 metres of satin-silk cloth of flaming-orange colour, which is the pitambar or dhoti and has been brought from Mumbai."
He said another distinct feature of the idol this year was a one-tola gold necklace contributed by all the members. The Ganapati Chowk Mitra Mandal came into being in 1990 and this is its 21st year.
"We want to make this year special," said Salvi. "Since it is the 21st year, we thought let's do something the people will remember.
We noticed how people used to go all the way to Mumbai to have darshan of the Lalbaugcha Raja. They used to face the rush and take all the trouble for darshan."
Amit Katti, vice-president of the mandal, said, "Even we have gone so many times to Mumbai. Now we have made it easy for people to come and pay homage to the Raja with the replica of the deity here. And we have named it Mumbaicha Raja."
I like Lord Ganapati a lot, so I have come here. I am a student studying for graduation and I will pray that I do well in my studies.
-- Shraddha Chauhan,
student
Last year I felt we had to make this year different. So we got this unique murti installed. I feel we have poured our heart into it.
-- Vishal Salvi, president, Ganpati Chowk Mitra Mandal
Tulshibaug Mandal
Honour and glory is his: The Ganesh at Tulshibaug Mandal is the fourth Ganapati of Honour in the city, and is reputed to always grant a devotee's wish. Pics/Nikhil Ghorpade
The Tulshibaug Mandal was established in 1901. The deity here is the fourth Ganapati of Honour in the city; there are five top mandals that make up the Ganapatis of Honour.
The temple behind the pandal is very old and built in stone, with a dome on top and it is noteworthy that the Ganapati faces north, like the historical Kasba Ganapati.
"Our Ganesh is 110 years old," said Subhash Pawar, member of the mandal committee. "The Kesari Wada Ganapati is older, having been established by the Lokmanya in 1893 to inculcate unity and patriotism among people.
During the British era, people used to send messages and give speeches, which were often anti-British, as people would gather for the festival."
Vikas Pawar, president of the Tulshibaug Mandal for the past 30 years, said, "I stared when I was in school! Every year we have a theme.
Last year the festivities were a bit subdued because of swine flu." He said the Tulshibaug Ganapati was the leading one when there were only 13 Ganapatis in the city.
"The murti here is in the hemadpanthi murti style, which is a style from the south, in the Kolhapur tradition," said the mandal president.
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"The mukut is silver this year, and weighs two kg. The modak introduced this year is 5.5 kg;the silver mouse and hand introduced last year weigh 8.5 kg and three kg respectively. Even before that we introduced two silver feet together weighing 7.5 kg!"
A number of celebrities have been associated with this mandal.u00a0 "Prominent politicians like Chhagan Bhujbal, Ajit Pawar, Suresh Kalmadi and Girish Bapat have come visiting," said Subhash Pawar. "And, of course, the Mumbai people come at night."
He said the Tulshibaug Mandal Ganapati is famous for granting wishes. "You get what you what. Just fold your hands and pray right now in front of Ganapati and you will get it!" said Subhash Pawar.
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"You see, this mandal's very name has 'tulshi' in it. During the plague, tulshi plants were grown around here.
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That's why the name of this area is Tulshibaug. People come here for darshan from all corners of Pune and Maharashtra."
I make it a point to visit all the mandals and this Tulshibaug Mandal is special, for our prayers are always answered.
-- Nikita Shinde, student
There is a rush to see this magnificent 15-feet murti. I feel strongly about this festival and wait for this the whole year
-- Girish Narayan, owns an imitation jewellery shop in front of the mandal
Nimbalkar Talim Mandal
Gaga over BABA: Nimbalkar Talim Mandal has Sai Baba-themed decorations this year
I make it a point to visit all the mandals and this Tulshibaug Mandal is special, for our prayers are always answered.
-- Nikita Shinde, student
There is a rush to see this magnificent 15-feet murti. I feel strongly about this festival and wait for this the whole year
-- Girish Narayan, owns an imitation jewellery shop in front of the mandal
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