30 May,2009 08:34 AM IST | | Varun Singh
Organisers to give grand sets, elaborate decorations a miss; will focus on security for the 1.5 cr devotees expected this year
The Lalbaughcha Raja will keep up with the spirit of his devotees in the city this year and arrive in a low-key avtaar.
With the memory of 26/11 still fresh in their minds, the organisers of Mumbai's most famous Ganesha mandal have decided to hold a sober, low-key Ganeshotsav this time.
Instead of the pomp and splendour of gigantic fiberglass elephants set against a pandal inspired by the Jodha Akbar palace (see box), the organisers will focus on security.
"The grandeur that devotees saw last year was part of our platinum jubilee celebrations. We plan to keep it simple this year.
The focus will be on devotees' safety and that of the stage where the idol is kept," said Satish Khankar, the newly-elected president of the Lalbaughca Raja Sarwajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.
Last year nearly one crore devotees flocked to Lalbaug. This year, the organisers are expecting nearly 1.5 crore devotees
Flyover woes
Khankar claimed the demolition of the Lalbaug flyover had added to the worries of the mandal. "We will have to find a new location for the mandal office on the days of the celebrations.
The office, which helps devotees navigate the venue and addresses other problems, used to be erected under the flyover," he explained.
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"We might have to shift the main gate too," he added. Not only that, Rajendra Lanjwad, member, managing committee of the Ganesha mandal, added that demolition of the flyover also means they will have to find an alternate location for the VIP gate.
Mandal members, however, assured that they wouldn't let security suffer under any circumstances. They will ensure that CCTV cameras, metal detectors and all other recommended security measures are employed.
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However, devotees like Arun Mudaliyar (24), a graphic designer, are unhappy about the sobriety.
Claiming that the elaborate decorations eased the pain of standing in the queue for long hours bearable, he said, "I am going to miss the elephants and the sets. They were such a big draw with the crowds."
Gaj gamini
Last year, the organisers roped in leading Bollywood art director Nitin Desai for the sets.
His gigantic fibreglass elephants and the Jodha Akbar palace replica became the talk of the town, even as the police repeatedly expressed fears that the hollow bellies of the fiberglass elephants could be used to conceal explosives.
