Hundreds of devotees of Lord Ganesha participated in the visarjan rituals of Andhericha Raja Ganpati idol at Veera Desai Road, Andheri West, on Saturday, September 21
While most sarvajanik or public pandals perform the Ganesh Visarjan on the 11th day of the Ganeshotsav, the Andhericha Raja stays with his devotees for a bit longer and the visarjan is conducted on Sankashti
The tradition began in 1972-73 when the mills of the surrounding areas faced a lockdown. The mill workers prayed to Lord Ganesha and said that if the mills opened, they would set up a mandap and perform the visarjan on Sankashti
The mill workers' prayers were answered and since then the Andhericha Raja pandal has been only growing and the Ganeshotsav festivities here witness grand celebrations
This year, the pandal décor drew inspiration from the magnificent Patwa Ki Haveli in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, which is renowned for its elaborate design and imperial beauty
The Andhericha Raja Ganpati idol is taken across the Andheri West area, including parts of Amboli and Versova, before the immersion
At Versova, the Koli community will join in the celebrations, amid music and aartis. Two boats that are beautifully decorated will be used in the Visarjan
The Andhericha Raja witnesses heavy footfall of devotees as they believed that the idol fulfills the wishes of the devotees
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