‘A smaller Ganpati idol means a bigger responsibility for our mandal’

The Lalbaugcha Raja idol in pre-pandemic years

This year, Mumbai's iconic deity, Lalbaughcha Raja will arrive at the pandal. With Covid-19 rules upending the ways of the world completely, last year was ‘historic' in an unfortunate way as Lalbaugcha Raja mandal, like the others remained closed. A year on, a smaller sized idol will be at the mandal.

An interview with Balasaheb Kamble, president Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.

A smaller sized Lalbaugcha Raja idol will be at the pandal in September...
This year, as stated, the murti will be four feet in height. We did not have an idol last year. There was no traditional celebration, but we held some community service drives. This year, we have some leeway, all according to government guidelines. The Ganesh idol will be four feet high, compared to the 18 feet height overall for the past few years. Work on the smaller idol will begin in a few days. The idol will be made in Lalbaug itself and the craftsmen will be the same as every year, Kambli Arts. Even within the new parameters we want to adhere as closely to tradition as we can.

The pandemic has brought about changes, obvious and upfront, like a watered-down festival, but behind the scenes as well...
The Covid-19 guidelines are going to be followed through and through. Whether at making stage, or even during the 10-day festival, where our volunteers and we will have very few of them, will maintain social distancing and will also enlist vaccinated volunteers. A majority of them have already taken both jabs.

Also read: Ganpati festival: Lalbaugcha Raja's height to remain 4 feet

Balasaheb Kamble, president Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal

Will devotees be allowed darshan? What are your guidelines?
We have been told to avoid crowds.

Do define what you mean by avoiding crowds? Does that mean, you may have a minimum like 50 people allowed physically for darshan?
I do not think so. As you are aware the sheer fervour of the devotees will mean that it will not take time for people to swell from 50 to 500 to 5,000. We will be inclined towards online darshan only. People will be encouraged to offer prayers online. We are looking at several platforms like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram. A number of television channels... let us see. We now have technology at our disposal and we will harness it. Our plans will solidify in the next couple of days as we plan to meet on different logistics. The festival will be marked differently and that means every aspect will have to be tweaked. We are also looking at the offerings angle. Many people want to give offerings. We may have a link for online offerings, let me see after we brainstorm on this, these are early days yet and these factors will be considered.

When you stress tradition, we see that a lot of VIPs have been visitors to Lalbaugcha Raja. From actors to politicians, the spotlight has been on them when they visit. Will the same rules apply to them too?
Yes, we will also encourage online darshan for them too. The same rules must apply to all, and we are hopeful that everybody will follow them. The accent will be on respect for restrictions.

Like yours, do other pandals also have permission to install a small Ganesh idol?
I would not know; we have had a series of meetings with different agencies in the run-up and got permission for the same.

The pandals usually have a social message tied in with the festivities. What is the message Lalbaugcha Raja would like to disseminate this time?
Our theme is: My festival, My responsibility. Not just Ganesh Chaturthi, there are so many festivals now that we move into celebration season. We want to emphasize masks, distancing, hygiene and taking the shot. This is we want, we state when we talk about responsibility.

Last year, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal made a cash donation of R1 lakh each to families of police personnel that had died in the course of Covid-19 duty. You also donated to families of soldiers who died in the Galwan clash. Any community service initiative planned this time?
We have used our funds for the previous community drives you spoke about. We have no immediate plans right now, but we cannot rule out anything. We know help is needed as the pandemic rages on. Let us see how best we can use funds we get this time.