Lalbaugcha Raja: The first look was unveiled on Friday, signalling the start of Ganeshotsav for Mumbai. From aam aadmi to celebrities, lakhs of Mumbaiites stand in long queues every year to catch a glimpse of the iconic idol during Ganesh Chaturthi
Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi (September 19), the first look of Lalbaugcha Raja dressed in pink was unveiled on Friday, signalling the start of Ganeshotsav for Mumbai.
Lalbaugcha Raja or ‘King of Lalbaug’, located in Putlabai Chawl, is the most visited Ganesh mandal in Mumbai. From aam aadmi to celebrities, lakhs of Mumbaiites stand in Lalbaug’s long queues every year to catch a glimpse of the iconic idol.
The Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations begin by bringing the idol home or to a pandal. The festivities end on September 28 (Anant Chaturdashi), with the grand visarjan or immersion in a water body.
‘KING OF LALBAUG’
The history of Lalbaug goes back to the 1900s, when the entire area in Parel was dominated by textile mills. When industrialisation peaked in the 1930s, the textile mills bore the brunt of the changes, affecting lives and livelihood. Legend has it that the locals, who were mostly fishermen and traders, turned to their favourite God, Ganesha, for help. They were granted a plot, which is currently known as Lalbaug market. The locals saw this as a blessing from Ganesha. As a mark of respect, they decided to designate a portion of the land for Ganpati celebrations. The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was set up on this land and this is where the idol is placed every year. The idol is dressed in different garments and hailed as a king.
Over time, the scale and size of these celebrations have increased. There are pandal competitions, one grander than the other.
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THEIR PHILANTHROPIC WORK
Not just for its celebrations, the mandal is also known for its social work. From running dialysis centres to helping out in flood relief work, a major benefactor in the philanthropic activities has been Reliance Foundation’s Anant Ambani, according to committee members.
Sudhir Sitaram Salvi, secretary, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, said: “Lalbaugcha Raja is a religious and social movement for over 90 years. People believe that what they offer to the idol reaches the lowest strata of society. It is our social responsibility to ensure that. One of our biggest contributors is Anant Ambani. Anant Ambani and his family visit our mandal every year. If we take a step forward, he takes the next step,” said Salvi.
“Our dialysis foundation has 24 machines which have been provided by the Reliance Foundation. We have been running the centre for 12 years. We spend Rs 4 crore a year,” said Salvi. “We have a Rugna Sahayya Nidhi Yojana. We pay 10% amount for the surgeries conducted at KEM, Nair, Sion, Tata, Wadia, JJ hospitals in the vicinity. The Reliance Foundation contributes majorly to the yojana.”
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“In the 2021 floods, a lot of districts of Maharashtra such as Ratnagiri, Raigad, Kolhapur and Satara were affected. Then, too, Ambani supported us through the Reliance Foundation. Our 2020 Arogya Utsav also received help from him. The support has been increasing with each passing year,” he said.
The most recent of mandal’s social initiative was the help provided to the residents of landslide-struck Irshalwadi near Khalapur in Raigad district.
HISTORY OF HELP
In 1947, the mandal donated its balance amount to the Kasturba Fund and to Bihar Flood Relief Fund in 1959. It contributed to the wars in 1962 and 1965.
In 1990, the mandal contributed Rs 15,000 towards Konkan Flood Relief Fund, established by the Express Group for the flood affected people of Jambhulpada, based in Konkan, Maharashtra.
It was the first mandal to contribute Rs 1 lakh to the ‘Army Central Welfare Fund’ in 1999 for the families of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives in Kargil.
