Ganpati Visarjan 2023: How Muslims hail Lalbaugcha Raja at Byculla and Nagpada

In the middle of communal stand-offs raging in the country, a distinct equation emerges in the heart of South Bombay. Breaking the mould of ingrained animosity, the local Hindu and Muslim brethren come together for the colossal Ganpati celebrations. The age-old tradition associated with the tall fame of Lalbaugcha Raja transpires as a pioneering act of brotherhood in the face of sectarian divide.
Lalbaugcha Raja is revered as the largest Ganesh pandal in Mumbai. He boasts of India's longest immersion procession which lasts for nearly 21 hours. The procession weaves its route through key locations dominated by the Muslim populace - Byculla Railway Station, Clare Road, Nagpada, Dunkan Road and Do Taki, concluding at Girgaon Chowpati.

Ganpati welcomed with skull caps post-namaz

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Year after year, Sajid Khan, a resident of Nagpada, works to ensure smooth conduct during the Ganpati procession in Muslim-dominant regions. Charing the Hindu-Muslim Ekta Committee, his office cubicle houses a photo album featuring Ganpati immersions, captured over two decades. He tells Midday, "We celebrate Ganpati like it's our own festival. After joining hands with our Hindu neighbours - we have built a solidarity that fizzled out all the tensions."

Three decades ago, this communal amity was unthinkable. With the demolition of Babri Masjid in 1992, riots erupted in various parts of the then-known Bombay city, leading to a deep-seated communal rivalry that claimed the lives of 900 people. Thirty years hence, the tables are turning and the city is gradually shedding its dogma-based inhibitions.

At Do Taki, Muslims wear skull caps and prepare to felicitate the Raja with pomp and might. With only five days to go for Ganpati, Khan is caught up with arrangements for majestic garlands, flowers and delicious meals meant to be offered to the Elephant-headed deity. Once the procession passes through Nagpada, Hindus and Muslims - indiscernible from each other, welcome Ganesha with garlands and shower flowers upon him.

Qari Lukmaan, the imam of Fine Touch Masjid, Agripada recalls how there were more cops than people during the 1993 procession. "There was a time when violent threat lurked during Ganpati procession through this area. As years went by, people recouped from those dreadful memories and revived lost friendships. Once while waiting for Ganpati, a cop told me how he finds our area to be cool as this halt is free of all lafdas!"

Peace thrives perpetually as long as acts of generosity and love float between the communities. The arms of Hindus and Muslims perform a coordinated motion to haul the chariot, propelling the 15-foot-tall idol forward. The deity also briefly pauses in front of the Hindustani Masjid, Byculla, where those who are typically seen at dargahs eagerly await Ganpati's presence.

"Isn't it wiser to stand together?"

Maulana Abdul Jabbar Mahirul Qadri Chishti, the imam at the Hindustani Masjid follows a harmonious blend of traditions during Ganesh Chaturthi. After concluding the evening namaz with the monotheistic worshippers of Allah, he steps out to welcome Ganpati with fellow Muslims. He shares that those who pray at the mosque have followed this practice since 1962.

"Do you understand the violence it took to become this peaceful? Let me explain. I've consistently guided my community, just as I did in 1993, that we must not only reside here but also stay united. We have faced enough bloodshed and fanatic hatred. With the passage of time, we have evolved to become more tolerant and partake in the happiness of our fellow brothers. Isn't it wiser to stand together?" remarks Chisti. As the Raja passes through Byculla, Muslims join to perform his aarti and adorn him with marigold garlands.

Bonds have been forged with the help of Gods. Mohammad Hamza, a young commerce student from Duncan Road was invited by his friend Apurv Mitra, to participate in the procession in 2012. He recalls how he mulled over the invite before finally giving in to the atmospheric cheer that parades the streets of his locality.

It has been 13 years now since he donned the responsibility of serving shahi sherbet to those passing by. Each year, he prepares 15-20 drums of the refreshing drink and partakes in the community celebration at Duncan Road. His father, Mohammad Salim is an active member of the local décor committee who ensures that Ganpati ornamentation is no less than a grand gesture.

The 70-year-old unshaken immersion route

The bold route of the Ganpati procession has remained unchanged for the past 70 years. Despite the communal tensions that spring from political upheavals, people from Khan's mohalla have chosen to look beyond the theological divide and assist in preserving the traditional procession route. The spiritual camaraderie exhibited by people in Muslim-dominated zones of South Bombay serves as a symbol of unity in the face of disparity.

"The renowned Lalbaug Ka Raja's fame endures until the idol is gently removed from the pandal for its immersion ceremony. The event draws thousands of participants, stretching over a 7-kilometer-long procession. The route traverses through some of South and Central Mumbai's most congested areas, including a few neighbourhoods known for communal sensitivity," shares Jitendra Dixit, the author of ‘Bombay after Ayodhya.' In this book, he has chronicled the aftermath of violence that erupted in December 1992.

Dixit shares how despite the chaotic strife, the ritualistic procession of Ganpati remained unaltered. In areas like Byculla, Nagpada, and Do Taki, which have Muslim-majority populations, a significant police presence is deployed during the procession to maintain peace and security. It's worth noting that in 1946, owing to prior communal tensions before the festival, the Bombay Police had attempted to change the route of the procession.

However, the organisers staunchly refused to comply and insisted on adhering to the traditional route. Eventually, the immersion procession took place ten days later along the same traditional path. This route holds immense significance because it is deeply ingrained in the sentiments of the people and is considered sacrosanct.

Worli Muslims anticipate Ganpati

Beyond the streets of Byculla and Nagpada, the Worli neighbourhood is not behind with its vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations and the spirit of Hindu-Muslim unity. Local Muslims in the region, actively participate in the procession, helping pull the chariot carrying the Lord Ganesha idol and offering flowers as a gesture of reverence.

For a century now, the Shree Ganesh Seva Mandal has helmed the installation of the Ganpati idol in Worli. Arvind, the president of the Mandal stated, "Ganesh Chaturthi has been celebrated here for the past 100 years. What makes this pooja Mandal unique is that both Hindus and Muslims come together to celebrate the might of Ganpati. When the idol arrives, members of the Muslim community join us in pooja and dance rituals."

Not only this, Muslims present a specially decorated chariot to carry Bappa for his culmination in the sea. Zakir Shaikh, a Worli resident shares, "Just like they visit our homes during Eid, we join our Hindu neighbours for a Ganpati pooja and immersion. This has been an ongoing tradition that we look forward to, each year."

The genesis of Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra

Ganesh Utsav found its footing in Maharashtra in 1892. Back in the day, Punekar Krishnajipant Khasgiwale visited Gwalior and witnessed the grand public celebration. Upon his return, he told his friend Bhausaheb Laxman Javale about it who went on to place a public Ganesha idol in Pune after learning about this celebration.

The extravagant festivities were transformed into private household affairs during the colonial period. Freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar noticed Javale's efforts and praised it in his newspaper ‘Kesari' in 1893. He even installed a Ganesha idol in the news publication's office the next year, and his efforts transformed the annual domestic festival into a large, well-organised public event.

Encouraged by him, Ganesh Chaturthi became a meeting ground for people from all castes and communities at a time when the British discouraged social and political gatherings to control the population. The festival facilitated community participation and involvement in the forms of intellectual discourse, poetry recitals, plays, concerts, and folk dances