Mumbai: Amid chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, people welcomed Lord Ganesha to their homes and pubic pandals on Sunday including in the financial capital of Mumbai undeterred by rains on the eve of the 12-day festival…

Mumbai: Amid chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya”, people welcomed Lord Ganesha to their homes and pubic pandals on Sunday including in the financial capital of Mumbai undeterred by rains on the eve of the 12-day festival which this time is being held in the backdrop of a growing debate over DJs, loud music and laser lights.The rainfall in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) and in other parts of Maharashtra has not dampen the spirits. With a weekend before the commencement of Ganeshotsava on Monday, their was heavy crowd in the markets across the MMR and cities like Pune and Nashik. On Monday, morning on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the ‘sthaapna’ pooja will be performed followed by traditional aartis to mark the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Lord Ganesha is the Hindu God of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune – and Ganeshotsava is the biggest festival of Mumbai and Maharashtra.The festival attracts people from all over the state, country and even foreign tourists during the festivities.A Ganesh Chaturthi without PoP pollution In the MMR itself more than three lakh idols will be installed at homes, housing complexes and in public venues by various mandals or associations. In the entire state, by some estimates, more than 10 lakh idols are installed including Pune.The origin of the festival in this form is from Keshavji Nayak Chawl at Girgaum, where Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak started its first ‘sarvajanik’ Ganeshutsav in 1893. It was done to garner support for India’s freedom struggle. The Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust, however, maintains that the Ganeshotsav in Pune was started by Bhausaheb Rangari in 1892.The dazzling lights gave a festive look at the Lalbaug-cha-Raja at Lalbaug, Ganesh Gully, Lalbaug, Tejukaya Mandal, Lalbaug, GSB Seva Mandal, Matunga-Kings’ Circle, GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samiti, Wadala, Kethwadi, 11thLane, Kethwadi, 12th Lane, Sahyadri Mandal, Tilak Nagar-Chembur, Shri Bal Gopal GaneshUtsav Mandal, Marine Lines, Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal, Fort, Andheri-cha-Raja or the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee at Andheri.Like previous years, this year too there has been themes. “There are historical and contemporary themes and the range is very wide this time,” said Naresh Dahibawkar, the President of BrihanMumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvaya Samiti, the apex body of public Ganpati mandals in Mumbai.

Source: Deccan Herald