Mumbai: Over 80 Ganeshotsav mandals of Girgaon, led by the area's most famous pandal, the Girgaoncha Raja at Nikadwari Lane, have united under one banner, 'Girgaon Ganeshotsav', to celebrate this year’s festival to promote cultural traditions and Sanatan Dharma.
The theme for this year's celebration will be 'Ashtavinayak Wari', replicating the popular pilgrimage circuit of eight Ganesh temples in Raigad, Pune, and Ahilyanagar, formerly Ahmednagar, districts.
Ganesh Lingayat, president of the Nikadwari Lane Sarvajanik Shri Ganeshotsav Mandal, founded in 1928, said 86 pandals will be part of the celebration to showcase the festival's grandeur, devotion, and cultural authenticity. "Pilgrims can walk from one pandal to another, replicating the Ashtavinayak route. We get the maximum footfall. This programme will take pilgrims to the smaller pandals in the area," said Lingayar.
While the Nikadwari Lane Ganesha will don his traditional form, eight other pandals will create replicas of the revered Ashtavinayak temples. "This concept aims to bring the sacred pilgrimage experience to the heart of Girgaon, allowing devotees, including those from Gujarati, Marwadi, Bihari, and other communities, to learn about and connect with the spiritual and historical significance of the Ashtavinayak pilgrimage," said Lingayat.
The pandals have hired art director Sumeet Patil to create authentic replicas of the Ashtavinayak temples. Patil surveyed each temple to ensure accuracy and cultural integrity in the designs for the pandal. Lingayat, along with another member, Sharad Kamath, visited the temples to meet their trustees to discuss the concept. The temple trustees have been invited to witness the 'Ashtavinayak Wari' during the festival to boost morale and inspire the devotees and organisers, said Lingayat.
Last year, the Nikadwari Lane idol, weighing three-and-a-half tonnes and towering nearly 22 feet, received a citation from the World Records Book of India for the largest eco-friendly idol made of natural clay and other materials such as grass and bamboo. The mandal, which will be celebrating its 98th year, has announced other programmes for the festival. The mandal will collaborate with Sushirmala Foundation to empower and employ women. A registration camp attracted over 1,000 women, many of whom will receive training to assist in crowd management during the festival.
The pandal also announced a 'pooja seva' where devotees can book various rituals to be conducted by priests appointed by the mandal. Complete pooja material will be arranged within the pandals, ensuring that devotees can walk in to take part in the rituals. Special prasad will be distributed after each pooja. The pandal has partnered with 3ioNetra to provide an e-commerce platform for the sevas, enabling devotees worldwide to participate. Those unable to attend in person will have access to e-darshan and prasad delivery directly to their homes.
“The ‘Ashavinayak Wari’ concept has gone viral even before the festival has begun. We expect over two crore devotees to visit. We have made special security arrangements to ensure a smooth, safe, and spiritually enriching experience for everyone.”
The Ashtavinayak and their replicas
Shree Girijatmaj, Lenyadri, Pune: Kudaldeshkar Niwas Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, J S S Road
Shree Vighnaharta Ganpati, Ozar, Pune: Ovalwadi Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, J S S Road
Shree Varad Vinayaka, Mahad, Raigad: Bhimraowadi Sarvajanik, Thakurdwar Ganeshotsav Mandal
Shree Ballaleshwar, Pali, Raigad: Dhobiwadi Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Thakurdwar
Shree Siddhi Vinayaka, Siddhatek, Ahilyanagar: Jitekar Wadi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal,
Shree Mahaganapathi, Ranjangaon, Pune: Anand Mitra Mandal, V P Road
Shree Chintamani Vinayaka, Theur, Pune: Sai Ganesh Mitra Mandal, Khadilkar Road
Shree Mayureshwar, Morgaon, Pune: Khotachiwadi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, V P Road
