Mumbaikars start bringing Ganesh idols to pandals (Re-issue)

Hindu groups in Mumbai started ceremoniously taking the idols of elephant-headed Lord Ganesha to pandals ahead of a 10-day-long festival, beginning September 15.

Mumbai, Sept 10 : Hindu groups in Mumbai started ceremoniously taking the idols of elephant-headed Lord Ganesha to pandals ahead of a 10-day-long festival, beginning September 15.

Dozens of people dancing to drum beats carrying Ganesha idols are a common sight in Mumbai these days.

With six days to go for the festival, various organisations have started to shift the idols they have booked to their respective pandals or makeshift tents.

The idols would be installed at pandals and offered prayers for 10 days, before immersed in water bodies.

Some 7,500 registered organisations hold celebrations in public places in the city and some of them are more than 50 years old.

"Our organisation is 69 year old. We keep huge idols because everyone else keeps huge idols. We earlier had silver and diamond studded idols. We are having a special idol this year as well," said Kiran Ganpat, Vice President of a Ganesha Mandal or organisation.

This year the Mumbai civic authorities have restricted the height of idols to seven foot or less. But the order came late and the organizations had ordered their idols much earlier.

Idols ranging in height from six to over 25 feet are made for the festival. Last year the tallest statues were between 25 to 28 feet.

"People like to see huge idols; therefore we keep huge idols," said Satish Prabhakar More, member of another local organisation.

Earlier the festivities were restricted to households, but Indian freedom fighter and social activist Bal Gangadhar Tilak used it to unite people against the British colonial rulers in the latter half of 19th century and the early part of 20th century.

The festival is also observed to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings for one's well being and intellectual prowess.

ANI