First glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja - Ganpati Festival in Mumbai
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The Lalbaugcha Raja idol has been made by artist Santosh Kambli and is 12-foot-tall. Ganesh Chaturthi is on Wednesday 19th sept
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| Lalbaugcha Raja 2012 |
90 hrs in queue to touch Raja’s feet
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Robin Pathania is first devotee to take Lalbaugcha Raja’s darshan this year
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The 10-day Ganesh festival starts today, but Robin Pathania has already spent over 90 hours in the queue to catch a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai’s favourite deity. Pathania, 25, a resident of Boisar, was the first in the queue; he stood there from Saturday afternoon. Devotees are allowed to take darshan of the idol from 7am today.
“For the past three years, I visited the Lalbaugcha Raja, but did not get to touch his feet. I only got mukh darshan. I decided I will start the queue this year and hence, stood in the line from 12.30pm on Saturday,” Pathania who works in an import-export firm told DNA. “I am here to pray for my 27-year-old sister’s marriage. Getting her married is my priority. I will do anything for that and I am sure Raja will fulfil my wish.” Like millions of devotees every year, Pathania is not perturbed about spending hours in the navasachi raang (queue where people promise something to the god if their wishes are fulfilled) at Lalbaugcha Raja. “The first night in the queue was a bit difficult. I changed my clothes in a public washroom after taking a bath. I had a light diet, mainly fruit juices. On Sunday, the second day, other devotees joined the queue,” Pathania said. Since then, Pathania said he had no idea how to spend time. “I kept chanting Raja’s name to make it a spiritual atmosphere. I feel proud that I am the first in the queue and will be the first to get Raja’s darshan. The mandal organisers have been very helpful and cooperative,” he said. Dheeraj Rathod, 38, joined Pathania in the queue on Sunday morning. “My mother has a knee problem and experiences excruciating pain. She is scheduled to undergo surgery next week and I am here to pray for her good health. I just want to touch Raja’s feet,” he said. Rathod, a resident of Lower Parel, works with Jaslok hospital. His son joined the queue on Tuesday evening. Prafulla Nair is also among the first to stand in the queue. “My 88-year-old mother is very ill since the past month. I will pray to Raja to take care of her health,” said Nair, who works as a senior clerk with Western Railway. Nair, who stood in the queue from Sunday afternoon, said people have been very cooperative. “They also allow us to sleep in the queue. It has been a pleasant experience,” she said. The Lalbaugcha Raja sees millions of devotees every year, but such devotion has left even the organisers surprised. “We expected people to queue up a day before the festival, but devotees have been standing in the line since Saturday,” said Ashok Pawar, president of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. “This year, we expect 60 lakh. We have put up hoardings, saying devotees may end up spending 24-30 hours in the queue.” Organisers serve breakfast to those who stand in the queue. |
200 security guards, 100 CCTVs to greet devotees
8-10 lakh people expected, police personnel, metal detectors to keep them safe
When you visit the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal this year, get ready to be greeted by at least 200 security guards, police personnel, metal detectors and more than 100 CCTV cameras.
The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh idol was unveiled in the city on Sunday.
Security has always been a priority at the city’s most popular mandal,
which attracts up to 8 lakh devotees every day, with the number of
visitors on the festival’s first and final day going well above 10 lakh.
“We have to keep increasing security every year, as the number of visitors also keeps increasing,” said Ashok Pawar, mandal president. “Though there has never been any untoward incident at the mandal so far, we cannot wait for something to happen,” he said.
However, behind the elaborate security arrangements lies a story of faith and devotion towards the Lord who is known to fulfil devotees’ wishes. Six years ago, Goregaon resident Kalpana Patil first came to seek the Lord’s blessings for her son’s Class 10 examinations. “When my son did well in the exam, my faith in the Lord was established, and I have been coming here every year since then,” said Patil.
“We have to keep increasing security every year, as the number of visitors also keeps increasing,” said Ashok Pawar, mandal president. “Though there has never been any untoward incident at the mandal so far, we cannot wait for something to happen,” he said.
However, behind the elaborate security arrangements lies a story of faith and devotion towards the Lord who is known to fulfil devotees’ wishes. Six years ago, Goregaon resident Kalpana Patil first came to seek the Lord’s blessings for her son’s Class 10 examinations. “When my son did well in the exam, my faith in the Lord was established, and I have been coming here every year since then,” said Patil.
Last year, Shaina Sati, who is from Kerala, waited for 22 hours to
seek blessings at the mandal. “I went the previous day at 10pm to wait
in line and got the Lord’s darshan only at 8am,” said Sati.
“Several devotees come here from other countries as well,” said Pawar.
For those who cannot come to the mandal, replicas of the Lalbaugcha Raja suffice. “I make several replicas of the idol every year that are taken by high-profile buyers including actors and politicians who believe in the powers of the Lord,” said idol maker Santosh Kambli, the third generation of artistes at Kambli Arts, a family business that has been associated with the Lalbaug mandal since 1935.
Devotees donate generously. Last year, the total collections reached a record Rs22 crore. “We direct the money towards our social initiatives including our dialysis centre and our public library,” said Pawar.
Santosh Kambli, the third generation of a family that has been sculpting the Lalbaugcha Raja idol since 1935, was flooded with requests to make replicas of the idol by many who said they find it difficult to make the journey to Lalbaug (central Mumbai), or wait in queue for the darshan. Kambli has been making replicas for the past three to four years. This year, he has made 125 small replicas (2.5-3.5-foot-tall), and 28 larger replicas (6-9-foot-tall).
“I got many requests from mandals to make a 12-foot-tall replica, which is the height of the original Lalbaugcha Raja. But I told them clearly that there is only one Lalbaugcha Raja, the rest are all replicas. At no cost will I make another one of this height,” Kambli said.
Last year, more than 10 lakh visited the Lalbaugcha Raja whose popularity has gone up over the past decade.
Kambli said, “I refused more than 100 orders for replicas. It’s not possible for me to make so many, I don’t have the time and space for it. So, I stop taking orders after June. Most place their orders well in advance.”
“I have seen a few people getting original gold jewellery made for the replica. I have seen the kind of faith they have on the god. That’s why I make a few replicas,” Kambli added.
Kambli got orders for replica from many high-profile devotees too, including actress Shilpa Shetty, as well as politicians, top police officials and industrialists.
Swapna Shinde, a resident of Pratiksha Nagar, who has been taking home a replica of the Raja for the past three years, said, “I have a lot of faith in Lalbaugcha Raja. He is lucky for us. He fulfils most of our wishes. Instead of waiting in the queue, my family and I decided to bring the Raja home, which has also created lot of positivity in our house.”
A new trend that has started now is that people have started placing orders for Maghi Ganeshotsav, which is celebrated in February, in September itself. Kambli has already received orders for a replica of the Raja for the festival next year.
Single judge of justice BR Gavai dismissed the petition filed by the Trust, seeking to restrain an entrepreneur, Kishore Sharma, from holding an online contest on his website ‘Mumbaicha raja.com’ and later awarding the title to some mandal after the Ganpati festival.
Advocate Vinod Bhagat, appearing for Sharma, said: “The contest is being organised since 2008 and in 2010, the Lalbaugcha Raja was awarded the title and previous to it they did not hold it. Thus they cannot restrain us from holding the contest and giving out the award.”
Bhagat argued that the Trust had no documents to show that its mandal had the title even before Sharma started the online poll and contest.
Further, the high courtwas also informed that the Trust had in 2010 and 2011 enrolled for the contest, thus showing that it was only through Sharma that the title was given to the mandal.
“If the title was awarded to the mandal in 2010, then it is only valid for that year and the next year it can be given to another mandal. Last year, it was given to a mandal in Chinchpokli. The rules and regulations of the contest are clearly specified to every mandal on the registration form,” Bhagat said.
However, the Lalbaugh trust said the title was of the mandal and the people know that Mumbaicha Raja is symbolic to Lalbaugcha Raja idol and thus it cannot be used.
The high court refused to grant any interim relief on the use of the title by Sharma.
Bringing people together once again on the joyous occasion of Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 19 this year, the city is gearing up for the grand celebrations, traditional aartis, yummy modaks and of course, an excuse to shop guilt-free! To bid welcome the elephant-headed God, jewellers in Mumbai are also playing their part in their own way. With beautiful ornaments, silver decorations and gold modaks, the festival receives a royal welcome every year and this Ganesh Chaturthi will be no different.
Using gold jewellery to decorate the idol has been a tradition for years together now. “During an occasion as auspicious as this, it is paramount that the jewellery that beautifies the idol reflects the purity in the hearts of the devotees,” says Prasanna Joshi, general manager, Lagu Bandhu. Interesting jewellery ranging from ladoos, chandra kunku, modak, undir to the durva haar are available at their stores. What’s more, they also make pearl-studded ornaments for connoisseurs. Lagu Bandhu believes that with the growing environment consciousness, replacing plastic decorations and ribbons with gold ornaments is both good for mother earth and also adds to the wealth of the family.
That’s why, the yellow metal, which is often considered as the sign of prosperity and wealth, is also gifted to loved ones during festivals. However, this festival is hardly the one for gifting. “The atmosphere during Ganapati is more about buying new ornaments than gifting them,” says Ashish Pethe, Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers (WHP). “Dasara or Diwali is when people gift gold, but Ganeshotsav is usually about buying gold for the lady of the house and for the Ganesh idol like the sonapatti, a mukoot or a shawl.” Ganesh pendants are the kind of jewellery that people look out to buy during the festival says Ramesh Shoor, MD, Agni CZ Gold Jewels. “Gold ornaments are largely bought from us during the festival for the prime reason that it’s considered shubh (auspicious),” he says.
Mumbai saw a unique addition to the gold offering last year with the launch of a gold and diamond dispensing ATM across the city. This year, in association with the celebrated Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal, the company is launching ‘Lalbaugcha Raja Gold and Silver Coins’ and is installing four ATMs around the premises. “In the fast-paced life of Mumbai, purchasing gold ornaments requires frequent bank and jewellery store visits. To reduce that hassle, we have introduced this gold and diamond dispensing ATM which allows you to make the purchase comfortably,” says Pradeep Methakar, business head, Gitanjali ATM business. “Customers can choose from an array of exclusive designs from Gitanjali and also buy any denomination of coins at the ATM,” he adds. An assistant at each ATM will guide customers through the process and the machine will be available 24 hours through the 10-day festival.
The occasion that ensures visiting all loved and dear ones, enjoying a lot of sweets in celebration and also gives one the opportunity to make as many requests to the elephant-headed God, something every Mumbaikar looks forward to. And, it’s only fair to welcome one of the city’s favourite Gods with much grandeur and love.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samnvay Samiti has asked mandals to make unknown persons eat prasad before they offer it to the elephant god.
The mandals have already taken security measures such as installing CCTV cameras, metal detectors, training volunteers to bevigilant and issuing stickers on local vehicles for identification. The Samiti added another security measure so that the festival goes on without a hitch.
“This is one of our precautions to avoid any mishap. There are scores of people who come with various offerings to the Lord. Hence, we have asked mandals to take this step. After volunteers are sure that the prasad is safe, it can be offered to god,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, the samiti president.
According to the organisation’s estimate, 2-3 lakh devotees visit bigger mandals like Lalbaugcha Raja during the first week of the festival. Later, the number swells to 7 to 8 lakh.
Smaller mandals see a footfall of 5,000 to 7,000 devotees.
“Since volunteers — who will be given identity cards by mandals — are locals, they know most people in the area. But, there is an increase in the number of people coming from other areas. Therefore, this measure needs to be taken. There is no intention of discriminating any devotee as security of all is important,” he added.
Devotees too welcomed the move. “One can understand that hordes of people visit city mandals from various parts of the city and outside. Hence, mandals too should take extra security steps along with the police,” said Vikas Jadhav, a Vikhroli resident.
Meanwhile, the BMC has claimed it is prepared for the festival. It said it would keep a tab is kept on adulterated sweets. It would ensure nirmalya is collected time to time from all wards and immersion spots get all facilities for a smooth procession.
“There are 72 immersion spots and 24 artificial ponds in the city. We will also have 41 motor boats stationed at immersion spot and ambulances,” said a civic official.
Gold and silver prices are going through the roof, but that has done nothing to dampen demand for the precious metals when it comes to decking up Lord Ganesha. Most Ganeshotsav organisers have placed orders for ornaments for the lord with city jewellers.
Popular among mandals, Girgaum-based jewellery designer Nana Vedak has received a number of orders, which involve 40kg silver and 6kg gold, from many mandals.
Vedak became famous after making gold feet for Lalbaugcha Raja six years ago. This year, he is making 10kg silver feet, coated with 200g gold, for a Chinchpokli mandal.
Currently, 10gm gold costs Rs31,700 and 1kg silver Rs61,325. As per the Bombay Bullion Association, gold prices have risen by Rs4,600 in 2012 — from Rs27,100 on December 30, 2011, to Rs31,700 on Wednesday.
Vedak says, “Nearly all the major mandals are my clients. Their orders include crowns, bangles/bracelets, arm bands, waist bands, ear ornaments, mice, modaks, feet and palms. Apart from mandals, I also get orders from people for their Ganesh idol at home. Last month, I got an order from Lata Mangeshkar for making two silver Ganeshas, and also from Shilpa Shetty.”
“Most of the ornaments at Siddhivinayak temple, Sai temple at Shirdi and Mahalaxmi temple have been made by me,” he adds.
Anand Pednekar, director, Jagganath Gangaram Pednekar Jewellers, says, “Only during Ganeshotsav the demand for gold and silver rises irrespective of the prices. People don’t look at the cost when it’s a question of dressing up their god. This year, we have got orders for ornaments involving 5kg gold and 200kg silver.”
“Because of the rising prices of gold and silver people have made adjustments in the weight, going for smaller and less heavier ornaments, but they haven’t stopped ordering and buying ornaments,” says Shrikant joshi, owner of Ramchandra Keshav and Company.
Dialysis Center
The number of patients taking treatment on
Kidney related diseases is increasing day by day. Most of these patients
need to
undergo Dialysis regularly, which is very
expensive. In order to provide help to such poor and needy patients,
Mandal has started a Dialysis Center at Industrial Estate,Chivda Galli,
Lalbaug, Mumbai-12. At this dialysis center,
the dialysis is done at a nominal cost of Rs.100. The Dialysis Center is
managed by a team of highly qualified,
experienced and well-known Nephrologists.
For details, Contact on : 022-2471 5583/ 84
Rugna Sahayya Nidhi
The Mandal has started “Rugna Sahayya Nidhi
(Medical Aid Scheme)”. As per the scheme, patients taking treatment in
Govt. / Municipal Hospitals in Mumbai viz. K.E.M. Hospital, Nair
Hospital, L.T.M.G. (Sion) Hospital, G.T.B. Hospital, K.B.Bhabha Hospital
(Bandra & Kurla), Rajawadi Hospital, Shatabdhi Hospital, Cooper
Hospital, Tata Hospital, Wadia Hospital, J.J. Hospital, Cama &
Albless Hospital, G.T. Hospital, St. George Hospital, etc. are
financially aided. During the year 2009-10, the Mandal spent almost 3.46
Crore on such patients
For details, Contact on : 022-2471 2122
Lokmanya Tilak Computer Training Institute
Today, Computer has become an integral part
of our lives. Computer knowledge is a must for everybody. Hence to
increase the Computer literacy, “Lokmanya Tilak Computer Training
Institute” has been established by the Mandal. The Institute conducts
Basic in Office Automation, D.T.P., Tally, Taxation, AutoCAD,
Programming in C & C++, etc. courses at nominal fees. This Computer
Training Institute is also a MS-CIT Authorized Training center.
For details, Contact on : 022-2470 6161
Free Yoga Centre
It is said that a healthy housewife keeps
her family healthy. And as agreed by the whole world, YOGA is the best
way to keep a human being healthy. Hence, initially “Free Yoga Centre”
was been started by the Mandal for women. Since 1st July 2010, Mandal
has started “Free Yoga Centre” for men also. Free of cost Yoga classes
are conducted for men & women where practice sessions are also
arranged daily.
For details, Contact on : 022-2471 2122
“Several devotees come here from other countries as well,” said Pawar.
For those who cannot come to the mandal, replicas of the Lalbaugcha Raja suffice. “I make several replicas of the idol every year that are taken by high-profile buyers including actors and politicians who believe in the powers of the Lord,” said idol maker Santosh Kambli, the third generation of artistes at Kambli Arts, a family business that has been associated with the Lalbaug mandal since 1935.
Devotees donate generously. Last year, the total collections reached a record Rs22 crore. “We direct the money towards our social initiatives including our dialysis centre and our public library,” said Pawar.
Mini Lalbaugcha Raja for some, queues for most
Like every year, tens of thousands will queue up to get a darshan of arguably Mumbai’s most famous visitor, Lalbaugcha Raja. But only a few lucky ones will be able to avoid the queues where devotees are known to spend 24 hours or more for a darshan that barely lasts a few seconds.Santosh Kambli, the third generation of a family that has been sculpting the Lalbaugcha Raja idol since 1935, was flooded with requests to make replicas of the idol by many who said they find it difficult to make the journey to Lalbaug (central Mumbai), or wait in queue for the darshan. Kambli has been making replicas for the past three to four years. This year, he has made 125 small replicas (2.5-3.5-foot-tall), and 28 larger replicas (6-9-foot-tall).
“I got many requests from mandals to make a 12-foot-tall replica, which is the height of the original Lalbaugcha Raja. But I told them clearly that there is only one Lalbaugcha Raja, the rest are all replicas. At no cost will I make another one of this height,” Kambli said.
Last year, more than 10 lakh visited the Lalbaugcha Raja whose popularity has gone up over the past decade.
Kambli said, “I refused more than 100 orders for replicas. It’s not possible for me to make so many, I don’t have the time and space for it. So, I stop taking orders after June. Most place their orders well in advance.”
“I have seen a few people getting original gold jewellery made for the replica. I have seen the kind of faith they have on the god. That’s why I make a few replicas,” Kambli added.
Kambli got orders for replica from many high-profile devotees too, including actress Shilpa Shetty, as well as politicians, top police officials and industrialists.
Swapna Shinde, a resident of Pratiksha Nagar, who has been taking home a replica of the Raja for the past three years, said, “I have a lot of faith in Lalbaugcha Raja. He is lucky for us. He fulfils most of our wishes. Instead of waiting in the queue, my family and I decided to bring the Raja home, which has also created lot of positivity in our house.”
A new trend that has started now is that people have started placing orders for Maghi Ganeshotsav, which is celebrated in February, in September itself. Kambli has already received orders for a replica of the Raja for the festival next year.
HC denies Mumbaicha Raja title to Lalbaugh trust
The Bombay high court on Tuesday rejected the plea of Lalbaugh Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, seeking the title ‘Mumbaicha Raja’ for the popular Ganesh idol it installs at Ganesh Gali every year.Single judge of justice BR Gavai dismissed the petition filed by the Trust, seeking to restrain an entrepreneur, Kishore Sharma, from holding an online contest on his website ‘Mumbaicha raja.com’ and later awarding the title to some mandal after the Ganpati festival.
Advocate Vinod Bhagat, appearing for Sharma, said: “The contest is being organised since 2008 and in 2010, the Lalbaugcha Raja was awarded the title and previous to it they did not hold it. Thus they cannot restrain us from holding the contest and giving out the award.”
Bhagat argued that the Trust had no documents to show that its mandal had the title even before Sharma started the online poll and contest.
Further, the high courtwas also informed that the Trust had in 2010 and 2011 enrolled for the contest, thus showing that it was only through Sharma that the title was given to the mandal.
“If the title was awarded to the mandal in 2010, then it is only valid for that year and the next year it can be given to another mandal. Last year, it was given to a mandal in Chinchpokli. The rules and regulations of the contest are clearly specified to every mandal on the registration form,” Bhagat said.
However, the Lalbaugh trust said the title was of the mandal and the people know that Mumbaicha Raja is symbolic to Lalbaugcha Raja idol and thus it cannot be used.
The high court refused to grant any interim relief on the use of the title by Sharma.
Mumbai is going to glitter and shine this Ganeshotsav
Bringing people together once again on the joyous occasion of Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 19 this year, the city is gearing up for the grand celebrations, traditional aartis, yummy modaks and of course, an excuse to shop guilt-free! To bid welcome the elephant-headed God, jewellers in Mumbai are also playing their part in their own way. With beautiful ornaments, silver decorations and gold modaks, the festival receives a royal welcome every year and this Ganesh Chaturthi will be no different.
Using gold jewellery to decorate the idol has been a tradition for years together now. “During an occasion as auspicious as this, it is paramount that the jewellery that beautifies the idol reflects the purity in the hearts of the devotees,” says Prasanna Joshi, general manager, Lagu Bandhu. Interesting jewellery ranging from ladoos, chandra kunku, modak, undir to the durva haar are available at their stores. What’s more, they also make pearl-studded ornaments for connoisseurs. Lagu Bandhu believes that with the growing environment consciousness, replacing plastic decorations and ribbons with gold ornaments is both good for mother earth and also adds to the wealth of the family.
That’s why, the yellow metal, which is often considered as the sign of prosperity and wealth, is also gifted to loved ones during festivals. However, this festival is hardly the one for gifting. “The atmosphere during Ganapati is more about buying new ornaments than gifting them,” says Ashish Pethe, Waman Hari Pethe Jewellers (WHP). “Dasara or Diwali is when people gift gold, but Ganeshotsav is usually about buying gold for the lady of the house and for the Ganesh idol like the sonapatti, a mukoot or a shawl.” Ganesh pendants are the kind of jewellery that people look out to buy during the festival says Ramesh Shoor, MD, Agni CZ Gold Jewels. “Gold ornaments are largely bought from us during the festival for the prime reason that it’s considered shubh (auspicious),” he says.
Mumbai saw a unique addition to the gold offering last year with the launch of a gold and diamond dispensing ATM across the city. This year, in association with the celebrated Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal, the company is launching ‘Lalbaugcha Raja Gold and Silver Coins’ and is installing four ATMs around the premises. “In the fast-paced life of Mumbai, purchasing gold ornaments requires frequent bank and jewellery store visits. To reduce that hassle, we have introduced this gold and diamond dispensing ATM which allows you to make the purchase comfortably,” says Pradeep Methakar, business head, Gitanjali ATM business. “Customers can choose from an array of exclusive designs from Gitanjali and also buy any denomination of coins at the ATM,” he adds. An assistant at each ATM will guide customers through the process and the machine will be available 24 hours through the 10-day festival.
The occasion that ensures visiting all loved and dear ones, enjoying a lot of sweets in celebration and also gives one the opportunity to make as many requests to the elephant-headed God, something every Mumbaikar looks forward to. And, it’s only fair to welcome one of the city’s favourite Gods with much grandeur and love.
Safety prompts sweet check
City mandals are drafting new rules to ensure a peaceful and safe celebrations of the 10-day Ganpati festival, which begins on Wednesday.The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samnvay Samiti has asked mandals to make unknown persons eat prasad before they offer it to the elephant god.
The mandals have already taken security measures such as installing CCTV cameras, metal detectors, training volunteers to bevigilant and issuing stickers on local vehicles for identification. The Samiti added another security measure so that the festival goes on without a hitch.
“This is one of our precautions to avoid any mishap. There are scores of people who come with various offerings to the Lord. Hence, we have asked mandals to take this step. After volunteers are sure that the prasad is safe, it can be offered to god,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, the samiti president.
According to the organisation’s estimate, 2-3 lakh devotees visit bigger mandals like Lalbaugcha Raja during the first week of the festival. Later, the number swells to 7 to 8 lakh.
Smaller mandals see a footfall of 5,000 to 7,000 devotees.
“Since volunteers — who will be given identity cards by mandals — are locals, they know most people in the area. But, there is an increase in the number of people coming from other areas. Therefore, this measure needs to be taken. There is no intention of discriminating any devotee as security of all is important,” he added.
Devotees too welcomed the move. “One can understand that hordes of people visit city mandals from various parts of the city and outside. Hence, mandals too should take extra security steps along with the police,” said Vikas Jadhav, a Vikhroli resident.
Meanwhile, the BMC has claimed it is prepared for the festival. It said it would keep a tab is kept on adulterated sweets. It would ensure nirmalya is collected time to time from all wards and immersion spots get all facilities for a smooth procession.
“There are 72 immersion spots and 24 artificial ponds in the city. We will also have 41 motor boats stationed at immersion spot and ambulances,” said a civic official.
Ganeshotsav 2012: Decking up the Lord in gold, silver is a priceless fixation
Gold and silver prices are going through the roof, but that has done nothing to dampen demand for the precious metals when it comes to decking up Lord Ganesha. Most Ganeshotsav organisers have placed orders for ornaments for the lord with city jewellers.
Popular among mandals, Girgaum-based jewellery designer Nana Vedak has received a number of orders, which involve 40kg silver and 6kg gold, from many mandals.
Vedak became famous after making gold feet for Lalbaugcha Raja six years ago. This year, he is making 10kg silver feet, coated with 200g gold, for a Chinchpokli mandal.
Currently, 10gm gold costs Rs31,700 and 1kg silver Rs61,325. As per the Bombay Bullion Association, gold prices have risen by Rs4,600 in 2012 — from Rs27,100 on December 30, 2011, to Rs31,700 on Wednesday.
Vedak says, “Nearly all the major mandals are my clients. Their orders include crowns, bangles/bracelets, arm bands, waist bands, ear ornaments, mice, modaks, feet and palms. Apart from mandals, I also get orders from people for their Ganesh idol at home. Last month, I got an order from Lata Mangeshkar for making two silver Ganeshas, and also from Shilpa Shetty.”
“Most of the ornaments at Siddhivinayak temple, Sai temple at Shirdi and Mahalaxmi temple have been made by me,” he adds.
Anand Pednekar, director, Jagganath Gangaram Pednekar Jewellers, says, “Only during Ganeshotsav the demand for gold and silver rises irrespective of the prices. People don’t look at the cost when it’s a question of dressing up their god. This year, we have got orders for ornaments involving 5kg gold and 200kg silver.”
“Because of the rising prices of gold and silver people have made adjustments in the weight, going for smaller and less heavier ornaments, but they haven’t stopped ordering and buying ornaments,” says Shrikant joshi, owner of Ramchandra Keshav and Company.
The other social activities of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal are:
For details, Contact on : 022-2471 5583/ 84
For details, Contact on : 022-2471 2122
For details, Contact on : 022-2470 6161
For details, Contact on : 022-2471 2122
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