Lalbaugcha Raja: September 2011

History of Lalbaugcha Raja

The Mandal, formerly known as 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug' was founded in the year 1928, because of a vow (Navas) for construction of the present Lalbaug Market at its existing place. The market place at Peru Chawl was shut down in 1932. Hence, the fishermen and vendors who used to sit in the open place vowed to Ganesha for permanent place for their market. With the consistent efforts and support of the then local Councillor-Late Shri. Kuwarji Jethabhai Shah, Dr. V. B. Korgaonkar, Shri. Nakhawa Kokam Mama, Bhausaheb Shinde, Dr. U. A. Rao and the local residents, the landlord Rajabai Tayyabali agreed to give a plot for construction of a market. As fulfillment of their wish, the fisherman and the traders established the Ganesh Idol on 12 September 1934. The idol was dressed in the customary fashion of fisherman. Since that day onwards, this Lord Ganesh has become popular as it fulfills the wishes of devotees. The Mandal was formed in the era when the freedom struggle was at its peak.

Due to the communal riots in 1946, orders were issued to change the route of this Ganesh Immersion Procession. But, the then office-bearers of the Mandal refused to change the route and, after 21 days, the procession was taken by the same route under the supervision of then Volunteers Pandurang alias Babu Sayle, M. S. Pawar and Dattaram Joshi. After independence, the agenda of the Mandal was modified and accordingly the Mandal decided to contribute in uplift of the Country. The Mandal donated its balance amount to the Kasturba Fund, the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Fund in 1947 and to Bihar Flood Relief Fund in 1959. The social issues were also highlighted in the plots during Ganesh Festival.

During Silver Jubilee Year 1958, two different plots viz. 'Geeta Upadesh' and 'Kaliya Mardan' were set for 5 days each. In this Silver Jubilee year, eminent speakers such as M. L. Patil, Honorable Minister of Bombay State, Honorable Ganapatrao Tapase, Honorable Govindrao Adik, Honorable Maloji Nimbalkar, Municipal Corporator Dr. Narvane, Govinrao Mahashbde, Dy. Editor Navakaal, Vasantrao Kate, Govardhandas Mapara of Kamgar Seva Sadan, Kakasaheb Tambe, delivered speeches.

After 1958, the number of devotees of Lalbaugcha Raja increased substantially. Hence, in 1960, the entertainment programmes and speeches were discontinued. In the same year, 'Navaratri Utsav' was started and the programmes were organized during Navaratri Festival. These transitions were carefully and neatly carried out by Chandrakant Khadye, Chunilal Rathod, Pranjivan Mehta and Shankar More. During this period, Late Shri. Shamraom V. Bodhe handed over the Hanuman Temple to the Mandal.

During 1948 to 1968, the Mandal started some new traditions like 'Shri Satyanarayan Mahapooja', 'Pan-supari Samarambha (Get Together Function)'. The Get Together Function is the ceremony of felicitation by offering roll of betel leaf with betel nuts, known as Pan-Supari in Marathi. During this get together, eminent personalities of different fields, office bearers of various mandals and well-wishers are invited. This creates a friendly atmosphere for co-ordination and exchange of views for better performance of the festival and helps in improving relation among various mandals. In this manner, the mandal established a warm relationship with some mandals of Kumbharwada, Durgadevi Duncan Road, Kamathipura, Khetwadi, Navi Amrutwadi, etc. The participation of local mandals at night, was started to control heavy number of devotees.

During 1934 to 1968, Kunwarji J. Shah, Dr. V. B. Korgaonkar, H. B. Korgaonkar, Dr. U. A. Rao, Dr. Manju Madar, Ramchandra Tawate, B. D. Bandekar, Raghunath Khamkar, Pranjeevan Mehta, Rambali Halwai, Ram Jadhav were mainly responsible for development of the Mandal. The amount accumulated from the Mandal activities was mainly used for development of the nation. Mandal did its bit by contributing to the National Fund during floods at Bihar in 1959 and during the wars in 1962 and 1965.

In 1969, new generation came up with wide view under the leadership of Late Shri Vasantrao Bhosale. Space requirement arose due to great extent of workload of the Mandal. In 1970, renovation of the Hanuman Temple was proposed. Accordingly, the renovation work was commenced in 1971 and completed in 1973, along with a new office for the Mandal. In 1975, Idol of Amba Mata (Goddess Amba) was established in the temple and the religious duties of Navratri festival were carried out in the temple, thereafter.

Since 1976, a part of the balance amount of the Mandal was deposited as 'Shikshan Imarat Nidhi'.

It is the first mandal who contributed Rs.1 Lakh to the 'Army Central Welfare Fund', in 1999 for the families of the soldiers who scarified their lives to uphold the dignity of the Nation at Kargil and the same was handed over to then Governor of Maharashtra State, Dr. P.C. Alexander.

Visarjan Tarafa: Traditionally the Ganesh idols are immersed in water during its Visarjan. Hence in order to immerse the idol of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mandal always takes proper precautions so that the visarjan takes place in a manner the Raja deserves. Accordingly, after consulting some experts and experienced persons, Mandal has purchased a Tarafa (Iron Raft), which makes it possible to dissolve the idol of Lalbaugcha Raja in deep sea water, conveniently. The Tarafa is prepared by M/s. A.V. Engineering.

Making of Lalbaugcha Raja

Lalbaugcha Raja Utsav 2011

“LALBAUGCHA RAJA (The Emperor of Lalbaug)” is name of the popular Ganesh Idol of "LALBAUGCHA RAJA SARVAJANIK GANESHOTSAV MANDAL". The preparations for Ganeshotsav 2011 have been already started since June 2011. In order to offer proper DARSHAN of the Lalbaugcha Raja to its devotees, necessary arrangements are being made by the Mandal. the Mandal tries to take necessary precautions so that no inconvenience is caused to the devotees. Approximately 2500 residents have been appointed as “SAHAKARI SABHASAD” (Special Volunteers) to help the Mandal in managing the Ganeshotsav. Along with them, a team of about 5000 other volunteers is also ready to help the devotees. A special 'Disaster Management Training' is imparted to some volunteers to handle any unforeseen calamity.

The arrangements for the devotees, who wish to make or fulfill a vow to the Lalbaugcha Raja, is similar to the arrangements made for Ganeshotsav 2010. This queue viz. NAVAS Line will take the following route:- Dinshaw Petit Lane - G.D. Ambekar Marg - Dr. Vijay Walimbe Road, Parel Village - Guru Rani Chowk, Parel.

This year the Mandal has made a arrangement for the devotees of Navas Queue in BMC & MHADA Ground.

The arrangements for other devotees who want to have MUKH DARSHAN of the Lalbaugcha Raja will be similar to the arrangements made for Ganeshotsav 2010. The queue for the MUKH DARSHAN will take the route:- Chhatrapati Shivaji Ground (Garam Khada) – Dr.B.A. Road - Dattaram Lad Marg - T.B. Kadam Marg - Add'l C.P. office - Dr. B.A. Road - Byculla Station.

Arrangements have been made in both the queues so that the devotees are not faced with any inconvenience in the queue.

Now pray to Lalbaugcha Raja at home

Mumbaikars, it seems, want more of Lalbaugcha Raja.
Idol-maker Santosh Kambli has been flooded with requests from people for a miniature Lalbaugcha Raja, which they can take home. And they are willing to pay a huge premium for this design for which Kambli has applied for a copyright.

“The demand is so huge that I have had to refuse hundreds of requests from those who’ve come barely a month before the festival,” says Kambli, a third generation sculptor from a family that has traditionally sculpted the Lalbaugcha Raja.

“There is a waiting list of those who want the miniature. I took limited orders from those who came six months before the festival.”

An overjoyed Swapna Shinde, one of the 115 lucky devotees, who is shelling out more than Rs9,000 for the two-feet-tall miniature, says, “Me and my family are ardent devotees and seek darshan several times, braving long queues and rain. But now we will have the lord in our house.”

Despite the detailed work, isn’t this a steep price considering other similarly sized idols in plaster-of-Paris are available for less than half this price? “No price is too big for the lord. He will more than make up for what we spend with his blessings on us,” she adds.

While the first such miniatures were made in 2007 for some acquaintances of the Kamblis, word soon spread and demands began to flow in from as far as Pune and Nagpur. The clientele list includes some top corporate czars and politicos, admits the sculptor refusing to give names. “From the rich to the poor, all flock to the Raja seeking help,” he says.

Kambli has applied for a copyright to his idols to the Controller General of Patents Designs & Trade Marks. “We have noticed that some sculptors are trying to copy our work since 2009. From the crown to the look in the idol’s eyes, we take a lot of pain to ensure detail. We want to ensure this style of idol-making, my family legacy, is copied by no one,” he explains.