Lalbaugcha Raja (Raja of Lalbaug, Mumbai) India's most famous Idol
It was divine providence that I got to spend last week in Mumbai; in fact I landed there on Anant Chaturdashi, the day of visarjan. It was an amazing experience that one has to be physically there to get the feel of it. No amount of photographs, videos and live telecast can get us the actual feel.
The fervour, the chants, the colours and the thousands of Ganapathi mandals decorated colourfully with love and money contributed by residents of each locality; from a simple pandal to wonderfully decked up places...over the years this occasion is gaining popularity and is getting bigger and bigger.
Above all the grandeur things, it is the people. Looking tired due to continuous celebrations for over 10 days at a stretch...definitely many full night outings...taking toll on the body by final day...but the mind keeps everyone on their toes on the last day for visarjan....
There is something about Ganeshji that makes him loveable to almost everyone cutting across differences...we all just love him. It shows up in the various attire and themes that people love to deck him up with. As far as Ganeshji is concerned, people love him so much that they make him a cricket player, national leaders, modern day hero, college student ...almost anybody.
He is one God who resides in people's mind at human level. The one we relate to on equal terms, as a friend. And why not, he is the one we look up to for fulfilling our wishes.
And the fervent chant goes on and on in Marathi:
Ganapathi Bappa MoryaMangalmurthi Morya
Ganapathi Bappa MoryaPudchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa...
All images from the web
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