Mumbai: The first look of Mumbai’s famous ‘Lalbaugcha Raja’ was released on Monday ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi. Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal released the first look of its 14 feet tall Ganesh idol to the devotees. Every year lakhs of devotees visit Lalbagh market to see the King of Lalbagh at Putlabai Chawl in Mumbai.
This year’s theme of Lalbaugcha Raja is based on the Ayodhya Ram temple. Renowned art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai has given shape to the decoration of the pandal. This year’s Ganesh Utsav will begin on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on 31st August and will end on Anant Chaturdashi on 9th September.
Significantly, due to the Covid-19 epidemic, this festival was celebrated peacefully for two years. But this year Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal is all set to celebrate the festival in a traditional way this year. It is to be known that this Mandal, established in 1934, has completed 89 years this year.
Industrialist Anand Mahindra also tweeted a video of the incident, saying, “Nothing expresses the heart and soul of Mumbai better than Lalbaugcha Raja…Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has lifted the COVID-19 restrictions. At the same time, the height limit of the idols of Lord Ganesha has also been removed. Shinde has also directed the state administration to create a separate lane at the toll plaza on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway for vehicles going for the Ganesh festival. The CM has also asked the officials to strengthen the CCTV system to prevent accidents and ensure safety on the expressway.
Toll waiver at toll plaza
Last week, the Maharashtra government waived off tolls at toll plazas on the Mumbai-Bengaluru and Mumbai-Goa highways as well as other Public Works Department (PWD) roads from August 27 to September 11 in view of the Ganesh festival. The move is aimed at providing relief to Lord Ganesha devotees traveling from different parts of Maharashtra to the coastal Konkan region of the state.
