Lalbaugcha Raja
Lalbaugcha Raja
Hindu devotees worship the Lalbaugcha Raja, one of the most popular ganesha idols on the first day of Ganpati festival September 11, 2010 in Mumbai, India.
Kuni Takahashi/Getty Images News/Getty Images The Lalbaugcha Raja, King of Lalbaug, is undoubtedly the most famous Ganesh statue in Mumbai. The mandal was founded in 1934, and has grown to be the most visited one in the city. The Kambli family, of Kambli Arts, has been making the idol since 1935. Its legendary design is now patent-protected. If you want to see the lengths people are prepared to go to for devotion, the Lalbaugcha Raja is the idol to visit. It draws an average of 1.5 million people a day -- astonishing! People simply believe that this Ganesh idol can fulfill their wishes, and there's a lot of media attention on it. There are two main lines to see the idol: a general Mukh Darshan line, and special Navas Charan Sparsh Darshan line for those wanting to make a vow or get a wish fulfilled (navas) and touch the idol's feet. The Navas Darshan line takes devotees right to the idol's feet, whereas the Mukh Darshan line offers viewing (darshan) from a distance of around 10 meters away. The line for the Mukh Darshan approaches the idol from Garam Khada Maidan, and runs along Doctor B. Ambedkar Road, Dattaram Lad Marg, TB Kadam Marg, and Rani Baug. The Navas Darshan line forms along G.D. Ambekar Marg and Dinshaw Petit Marg (Ambewadi). Location:Putlabai Chawl, next to Lalbaug Police Station in Lalbaug market (central Mumbai).Nearest Railway Station:Lower Parel Station on the Western Line and Curry Road Station on Central Line for the Navas Darshan. Chinchpokali, Byculla, or Cotton Green station for the Mukh Darshan.Waiting Time:Although the Navas Darshan line is better managed these days, you can still expect to wait up to 15 hours (or more) depending on when you go. Wait times of seven to 10 hours can be expected in the Mukh Darshan line when it's busy. Otherwise, it's an hour or two.When to Visit:It's open around the clock. However, the busiest time is in the evening until midnight.2018 Theme:Global warming and conservation of the environment. The decorations are made from papier-mache, and for the first time ever, the idol does not have a throne. Instead, it's sitting on a stone.The procession for the immersion (visarjan) starts out at 10 a.m. from the Lalbaug market on the final day of the festival, and takes the following route: Bharat Mata Theater, Sane Guruji Marg, Byculla Railway Station, Clare Road, Nagpada, Dunkan Road, Don Taki, Sant Sena Maharaj Marg (Kumbharwada), Suthar Gully, Madhav Baug, C.P. Tank, V.P. Road, Opera House, Girgaum Chowpatty. The immersion happens at 8 a.m. the next morning, using a special raft. |
Lalbaugcha Raja
January 17, 2019
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