Tracing the route of Mumbai's first community visarjan procession

Updated On: 01 September, 2024 09:04 AM IST | Mumbai | Arpika Bhosale

From Charni Road to Girgaon Chowpatty—we walk in freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s steps at the first community procession to immerse Bappa in 1893

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A file pic of the pandal at Keshavji Naik Chawl, where the same traditions are still followed

Over 130 years ago, 1893 marked the first time Ganpati Bappa was passed over a sea of shoulders of devotees in the first community visarjan procession. The clay idol was just two feet tall—a far cry from the gargantuan ones we see today—and yet, this was the one that started it all. Until this point, Ganeshotsav was a private festival, with celebrations contained within each household.

Route taken by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in 1893. Illustration/Uday Mohite