It’s that time of the year again, the city that never sleeps is taking a pause, immersed in the sound of dhol and tasha Mumbai is not counting calories but relishing modaks. It’s the time of year when you find a breath taking idol of Ganesha or Bappa as lovingly referred to as by his devotees gracing pandals and abodes every few meters. Devotees drenched in spiritual joy, enjoying the festivities, and more than anything else,this is the time when the echo of Ganpati Bappa Morya is literally infused in the air.
What’s so special about this celebration, is a difficult question to answer. Is it the magnificent and ginormous pandals designed by eminent director, Nitin Desai with socially relevant and well thought out themes every year ? Or the buzzing Kambali workshop that works day in and out for months to carve Bappa’s idol of which they have a world patent ? Is it the insurance of more than 50 crores devotees standing in navsachi and mukhdarshan queues that take close to 20-24 hours and go up to 5-6 kilometres ? Or the visarjan that continues for more than 24 hours on a specially designed electronic raft ? Or it’s the thousands of police personnel stationed in the service of Bappa?
The grandeur of the 10 days of Lal Baugcha Raja is just beyond any words.
A glance down the lanes of History
The prominent Koli community of Mumbai had to operate from an open market after the famous marketplace at Peru Chawl was shut down in 1932, following a huge loss in business.
It is said that these fishermen who were facing difficulties sitting in the open area, made a prayer to Bappa for a permanent place, for their market. It is believed that with the grace of Bappa and the support of the local leaders like Kuwarji Jethabhai Shah, V.B. Korgaonkar and many others, the landlord Rajabai Tayyabali agreed to give a plot for the construction of the market. The Koli community established the first idol of Raja on 12th September 1934. They dressed Bappa in their traditional Koli attire. Since then, Lal Baugcha Raja is fondly known as “Navsachi Ganpati” or mannat ka Raja as well.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak one of the most prominent leaders of India’s freedom movement realized that they needed some common thread to unite people from all sections of the society especially when there was a deep divide between Brahmins and Dalits the time. He realized Lord Ganesha, was worshipped by all “he was the God of everyone” and he could help bridge the gap, reform stubborn religious practices, promote local business, ban alcohol, uplift marginalised sections, spread literacy, etc. But beyond anything the purpose of this utsav was a vision of Swaraj.
Mr. Vimal Mishra, a senior journalist from Mumbai shares some historical facts with The Voices , “During this time the Ganpati worship was limited to the elite Brahmin clans. Caste discrimination was at its peak. The young generation was brainwashed and was lured to the western way of living and conversion, in 1893 many parts of Maharashtra were severely impacted by the communal riots. A meeting was organised and it was proposed to celebrate this festival for 10 days as a sarvajanik utsav, which was otherwise celebrated for 1 ½ to 5 days at homes or temples. It was also a solution to counter the curbs imposed by the Britishers on large gatherings unless for religious reasons. This utsav not only provided an opportunity for mass gatherings but also sparked a sense of togetherness and inculcated a sense of patriotism. Lalbaug has always come with a social and political relevant theme ever since. Gradually people from all religions and communities started taking an active part in the Ganesh Utsav.”
Today, members of Muslim community offer their regards to Bappa with equal gusto, while he makes his way through Byculla for the Visarjan at Girgaum Chowpatty.
The name Lalbaug is also derived from the name of sufi saint Lal Sahib whose dargah was destroyed during the 1992 riots but it’s remains are taken care of by a Hindu Gaikwad family.
Lalbaugh is also famous for the offerings that come from all over the world and is estimated in millions. The famous auction of Bappa’s goods fetches millions, as devotees want them at any price. The mandal uses this fund for several charitable activities, providing free ambulance service and treatment for the poor and providing help during calamities. In 2020 for the first time in the history of 86 years, the mandala had to cancel the sthapana in wake of Covid-19 and had instead organised Arogya Utsav, a blood and plasma donation camp. They also distributed a sum of more than one crore to the families of the Galwan martyrs and to policemen who died due to Covid-19.
But this year Bappa is back and the joy of his devotees knows no bound. Mr Madhusudan Kambali, a renowned artist of his time was the first person from the Kambali clan to make the first idol of Bappa in 1934. After his demise in 1952, his eldest son Venkatesh took over and, after his death, Ratnakar Kambli, the current head of the family, started making the idol. Currently, Mr Santosh Kambali makes Bappa’s idol.
The Bappa’s idol made by the Kambali family is usually a bit different from the other idols. Bappa here is slimmer and more human. “We followed the folklore tradition where Bappa had a human body, so we try and keep him closer to a normal human being. No matter what theme we follow each year, we try to keep the idol the same every year. However, this year is an exception, this year we have changed the standard upright seated position in a throne, to Bappa reclining on Sheshnaag. We all know in Hindu mythology Lord Vishnu comes to the rescue, whenever needed. We are seeking the blessings of Bappa and Lord Vishnu to rescue us and protect us from the virus. We are sending out a note of hope and positivity.”
The restriction of online darshan and reduced size of pandal and an enforced upper limit of attendees has not curbed the spirit of devotees. Raja cha utsav is a glimpse of Mumbai’s spirit, of secularism, of utmost devotion and an experience that can never be translated into words.
The devotees bow down to their sukhkarta – dukhharta to rescue them against this deadly virus. And before Bappa leaves there is a prayer to the beloved Ganpati Bappa to Pudhichya Varsha Laukriya.
(come back faster, next year).
Interviews by: Ritu Jhingran
Videographer: Furkan Ali
Video Editors: Milisha Yadav and Ashutosh Yadav
Edited by: Raghujit S. Randhawa