New Delhi: As the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations begins from Friday, devotees are welcoming the arrival of Lord Ganesha under the shadow of Covid-19 restrictions. Though the festival is widely celebrated across the country, Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav celebration particularly stands out.
This year owing to the ongoing pandemic, BMC has imposed several restrictions on the Ganesh Mahotsav celebrations. Usually, there are 3000+ applications for pandals in Mumbai, that came down to only 1273 applications this year.
BMC has furher granted permission to just 519 mandals in the city, under strict social distancing and other pandemic norms. Nevertheless, the spirit and zeal among the Mumbaikars for the 10 day long celebration continues to be unbroken.
Here are 5 iconic Ganpati pandals in Mumbai and their celebration amid Covid:
1. Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal: Founded in 1934, this renowned pandal has its idol’s carving pattern patented. Every year devotees from around the world visit the iconic pandal for one glance of its 15 feet tall Lord Ganesha idol. However, this year organizers have installed a 4 feet idol in view of the government guidelines, with theme “Majha Ganeshotsav, Majhi Javabdari” (My Ganeshotsav, My Responsibility).
2. Andhericha Raja: Founded in 1966 by Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Limited, sees a huge crowd of devotees along with Bollywood celebrities for darshan every year.
3. GSB Seva Mandal Ganpati: GSB Seva Pandal is the richest Pandal in Mumbai, famous for its idols decked with silver and gold jewellery.
4. Keshavji Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal: Founded in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak, the pandal is the oldest in the city. This year the organizers have installed an eco-friendly idol in the pandal.
5. Khetwadicha Ganraj: Most famous for its 12th lane pandal, the idol maker as well as the idol’s shape has remained same for years. Last year the pandal made headlines as its idol of Lord Ganpati was decked with diamonds.
