As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities start across the country, hundreds of people thronged Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja on Tuesday to seek blessings from their reverred Bappa.
A video of the celebrations at the Lalbaugcha Raja was shared by the news agency ANI on their official ‘X’, formerly known as Twitter account.
#WATCH | Visuals of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations at Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja. pic.twitter.com/g28JDUhHXB— ANI (@ANI) September 19, 2023
The idol of Lalbaugcha Raja holds a special place in the hearts of Mumbaikars. It has also become an integral part of the city’s cultural and religious landscape.
The tradition here dates back to 1934 when the first idol was installed by the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal following which it became an iconic symbol of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai.
The celebration at the Lalbaugcha Raja during Ganesh Chaturthi 2023 will mark 90 years of its commemoration.
The Mumbai Police has put up traffic restrictions across different parts of the city in view of the 10-day long celebrations that started on Tuesday. A large number of people are expected to be on the streets visiting various pandals, including the famous Lalbaugcha Raja, during the festivities. More than 13,750 police personnel have been deployed in the city for security during this period.
How to watch LIVE darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja online?
The organizers of Lalbaugcha Raja have been hosting live online darshan for devotees who cannot visit in person. The sessions have been made available on the Mandal’s official website and social media platforms, including YouTube, X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
The first look of the mammoth Ganpati idol was revealed on September 15 at 7 pm.
How to order Lalbaugcha Raja’s Prasad online?
The organizers of Lalbaugcha Raja collaborated with Jio Mart and Paytm to deliver Prasad online. The devotees who cannot visit the holy pandal themselves can order Prasad at their doorsteps by just clicking a button. JioMart, however will only take orders in Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane.
The Prasad package includes two pieces of Bundi laddu per set and is costed at Rs 51, inclusive of all taxes. The delivery is completely free of cost with no minimum order.
The Ganesh idol of Lalbaugcha Raja will be immersed in the Arabian sea, after about 11 days, in Anant Chaturdashi.
Traffic Restrictions in Mumbai in View of Ganesh Chaturthi
- There shall be a complete restriction on the movement of all types of heavy vehicles and private buses in south Mumbai on September 21, 24, 26, and 29, said an official.
- On other days between September 19 and 29, heavy vehicles are allowed to ply in south Mumbai between 12:00 midnight to 7:00 am in the morning, he said.
- In Greater Mumbai (except for areas under south Mumbai), there shall be complete restrictions on the movement of heavy vehicles and private buses from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. the next day on September 20, 23, and 25.
- Further, there will be restrictions on movement of these vehicles on September 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 a.m. the next day.
- However, essential service-providing vehicles such as those supplying vegetables, milk, bakery products, drinking water, petroleum products, ambulances, government and semi-government vehicles and school buses are exempted from restrictions, said the official.
- All private buses entering and leaving Mumbai and heavy vehicles, including the ones exempted from curbs, shall only be parked at their privately owned spaces or rented spaces or on authorized pay lots, he said adding that parking of these vehicles on roads shall be totally prohibited.
- More than 13,750 police personnel, comprising 11,726 constables, 2,024 officers from the rank of sub-inspector to assistant commissioner, and 15 deputy commissioners, have been deployed in Mumbai for security during Ganesh festivities.
Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Mumbai
The 10-day-long Ganesh Chaturthi or Ganeshotsav celebrations began on Tuesday. This festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good luck. It is celebrated with great fervor in various parts of the country, but it holds special significance in Mumbai, where ‘pandals’ with gigantic Ganesha statues are set up in multiple parts of the city. This year, the festival will be celebrated from September 19 to September 29.
Idols of the elephant-headed God in various shapes and sizes were installed at several households and in pandals (temporary stages set up by community groups at street corners and open spaces) against the backdrop of elaborate decorations based on various themes ranging from the Chandrayaan-3 launch to Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir.
Families, including children as well as senior citizens, stepped out of their homes early morning to bring their beloved “bappa” home amid chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” and the beating of drums. Many people were seen carrying the idols of Lord Ganesh in autorickshaws, cars, and other modes of transport.
The immersion day of Lord Ganesha, which will be on September 28 will see a large presence of police on the ground and the manpower details are being chalked out, an official informed. Ganesh festivities are the most patronised in Mumbai, with idols of Lord Ganesh being installed in pandals and at homes.
(with PTI inputs)
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