Ganesh Chaturthi 2015 ( Part 1/3 )

The excitement and energy around Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is absolutely electrifying! After years of wanting to experience the festivities first hand, I finally took off with my brother Nishant to explore the city during Ganesh’s visit.

We covered a few Mandal’s and their beautiful idols in the few hours we could spare; and are sharing them in a total of three blogs.

( All photos and videos are taken from the mobile phone. Do excuse the wobbly footage and noisy backdrop! 
Since the video quality isn't  very clear here, shall upload the same on YouTube soon )

Parelcha Raja

Days for Darshan : 11 days

Height : 24 Feet

Founded: 1947

As I walked towards the Mandal , I saw a lovely fair! Full of colours, glee, cotton candy and fun rides; the surroundings were like a fun fair or a mini amusement park! My heart sank a bit as I had to walk past it due to my time crunch.

The Parelcha Raja was shown standing over a Rakshasa ready to slay him for his misdeeds with a pointy sword. Around the idols waist, hung the heads of slain Rakshasas. Along with the large crown, his ears were adorned with golden ear cuffs outlined with peacock feathers. His hands held a variety of objects right from birds, weapons, animals, instruments and more. The idol was surrounded by a mix of a Sandy beach, a forest and a water body. There were also a number of shrubs planted around the smaller Murthi for a green effect.

Lalbaugcha Raja

Days for Darshan : 11 days

Founded: 1934

Lalbaugcha Raja is one of most celebrated Ganpatis during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This was my first visit to the mandal and I was stunned! On a very hot afternoon and despite it being a working day, people had flocked by the thousands for darshan. 

After walking through a long metal maze, we squeezed ourselves through tiny by-lanes with a lot of shops around us some selling sweets, some refreshments, requirements for Poojas and some even Lalbaugcha Raja T-Shirts and crazy memorabilia. 

They crowd was chanting throughout! I was amazed at the devotion people had.

The Ganesh idol had a charkra in one hand, a parashu in another while he blessed all his devotees. His throne had the SheshNag on it. His ear had a lovely golden bikbaali.

Mumbaicha Raja, Ganesh Galli

Days for Darshan : 11 days

Height : 22 Feet

Founded: 1928

The entrance was big and pretty interesting with beautiful carved designs and brown guard figurines peeping out of windows on it.

As we made our way towards the Idol, we saw a huge rustic copperish red, fort like structure in which the Idol was placed. There were fountains too!

 

The Ganpati idol here stood with a whip in one hand and the hair of a lions mane in another. The Lion whose mane was held was right behind the idol with an angry expression in a pouncing stance. The Ganpati idol stood with an expression of calm despite the anger shown right behind him.

Raja Tejukaya

Days for Darshan : 11 days

Founded:  1967

As we stood in line for darshan, we overheard a conversation of a mishap that happened about three to four years ago. As the Raja Tejukaya idol was being taken to the beach for Visarjan, a rope hit the idol and the idol fell to the ground. Everyone at that time was heartbroken but strong in spirit. They didn’t let this unfortunate event stop them from continuing their love for Ganesha and have kept the tradition alive.

The Raja Tejukaya idol this year stood in a warrior stance with his hand holding weapons such as an axe, and a bow and arrow. His ears had three interesting and completely different types of earrings. His body was covered with a golden armour and behind him stood a life like decorated elephant.

 The idol was surrounded by a golden and brown palatial partition. An interesting fact about the Raja Tejukaya idol is that the idols face remains the same each year.

Chinchpoklicha Chintamani

Days for Darshan : 11 days

Founded: 1920

The mandal was made like an ancient copper and gold palace with lions on each pillar. Chinchpoklicha Chintamani sat on a huge golden throne playing a sitar.

His right hand, as well as both his ears were made of gold. His throne was huge and he had Krishna playing the basuri on his right, Krauncha on his left and the Surya in the middle. The bottom of his throne were peacocks.

(This year's best Ganesh idol award went to the Chinchpokli Chintamani)

Kalachaukicha Mahaganpati

Days for Darshan : 11 days

I was pretty shocked to see temple run as their theme; but i must say it was quite unique! Right from the entrance of the lane, to the mandal  and the area inside, everything was based on the theme.

 

Here’s the inside of the mandal on video :

The Kalachaukicha Mahaganpati stood with an axe and a paash in his hand ; along with a sword around his waist. His crown was shaped like a peacock. 

 He stood in the midst of rock and boulders the background looked like that of a sunset. On his left, there was a small temple placed on a tortoise.

Rangaari Badak Chawl

Days for Darshan : 11 days

The entrance of the Mandal had various pictures stuck to the walls right from old pictures of the Rangaari Badak Chawl idols over the years to that of freedom fighters, quite fun to read along the way.

The Mandal was given a palatial look with golden and copper pillars and various other royal symbols  and architecture around it. 

The idol sat on a SheshNag throne and each of his hands grasped a weapon. 

The backdrop seems like a snow-filled ground with a beautiful dusk like sky behind.

Fortcha Icchapurti Ganesh

Days for Darshan : 11 days

I have been in love with this place every since my visit. The entrance was as grand as ever! It was a royal entrance with golden copper pillars. Each pillar has intricate designs and small statues on them. Around the entrance were put up colourful paintings of scenes taken out of the Indian mythology. Two white decorated elephants stood near the staircase. The entrance also had the busts of Shivaji Maharaj and Lokmanya Tilak.

The ground floor of the Mandal had a Shivling and a Ganpati idol placed in a room completely golden in colour with very beautiful and intricate work all around. This particular room was said to be a replica of Siddhivinayak. 

As we made our way to the first floor we entered a gazebo like room. The room was filled with different idols. The first one we saw was Mumbai’s first Sarvajanik Ganpati by Lokmanya Tilak, As we walked along we saw the Ashtavinayak (Eight Ganeshas) . The entire area from here was air conditioned.

                                        

A passage that took us to the room in which the idol was kept had various Ganpati idols placed in the wall as well.

The room in which the idol was kept took my breath away! The room was full of life and beautiful colours.

You could see miniature Ganesh idols from all around the world. Some performers were getting ready to sing and entertain the crowd. Around the room the lights would change from time to time.

Fortcha Icchapurti Ganesh sat on a rustic golden throne with lions at the bottom and Krauncha on his right and left side. His right hand, ears, tusks and feet were made out of gold.

I simply loved the liveliness of the place. The part where this mandal stood out for me the most was that it provided some visual GK to take back home.

( This mandal has received this year's best ganpati decoration award )

Crawford market cha Ganraaj

Days for Darshan : 11 days

Founded: 1969

This idol was quite different. Bal Ganesha was held lovingly in the air by a woman dressed in a tradition Marathi sari. Quite a cute sight.

( psst keep a look out for part 2! will update it on www.facebook.com/nehasclicks

 or www.instagram.com/nehasclicks

 To be continued...)