Lalbaugcha Raja

2022-04-17T06:30:50Z

87.201.253.20:

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{short description|Ganesha idol in Lalbaug, India}}
{{more citations needed|date=April 2012}}
{{Infobox Hindu temple
|name=Lalbaugcha Raja
|image=Bappa.jpg
|caption=Lalbaugcha Raja, 2009
|native_name=
|[[Ganesha]]
|religious_affiliation=[[Hinduism]]|deity=[[Ganesh]]|organisational_status=Active|festival=[[Ganeshotsav]]|state=[[Maharashtra]]|country=[[India]]}}

'''Lalbaugcha Raja''' ([[English language|English]]: The King of Lalbaug) is the ''sarvajanik'' (public) [[Ganesha]] idol kept at [[Lalbaug]], a locality in [[Mumbai]] in the [[India]]n state of [[Maharashtra]], during the [[Ganesh Chaturthi]] festival. The idol gives ''darsan'' to the devotees for 11 days; thereafter it is immersed in the [[Arabian sea]] at [[Girgaon Chowpatty]] on the day of [[Anant Chaturdashi]] (Ganesha Visarjana).

The belief that this idol of Ganesha is, ''Navasacha Ganpati'' ({{lang-mr|नवसाचा गणपती}}) (which means the "one who fulfils all wishes") draws over 1.5 million pilgrims to the idol's display area daily during the 10-day Ganesha Chaturthi festival.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indulgexpress.com/msociety/2019/aug/31/ganesh-chaturthi-2019-what-makes-lalbaugcha-raja-so-popular-17854.html|title=Ganesh Chaturthi 2019: Here's why Lalbaugcha Raja is so popular|website=www.indulgexpress.com|language=en|access-date=15 October 2019}}</ref>

In 2021, the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganapati entered 88 years.

==History==
Lalbaugcha Raja is the popular [[Ganesha]] idol of the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. The mandal, formerly known as 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug'<ref>{{cite news|title=Sculptor Ratnakar at his workshop|url=http://www.mid-day.com/mumbaikar/2004/sep/92849.htm|accessdate=16 July 2012|newspaper=[[MiD DAY]]|date=29 September 2004|location=Mumbai, India}}</ref> was founded in 1934 at Lalbaug Market by fishermen of the [[Koli people|Koli]] community.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 July 2020|title=No Lalbaugcha Raja for first time in 86 yrs of its existence|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/mumbai-news/no-lalbaugcha-raja-for-first-time-in-86-yrs-of-its-existence/story-LrhajG7Mv5AL15JKHDYPpO.html|access-date=2 July 2020|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=30 September 2016|title=A Behind-the-Scenes Look at How Mumbai's Most Famous Ganesh Mandal, Lalbaugcha Raja, Functions|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/65759/lalbaugcha-raja-ganesh-chaturti-mumbai/|access-date=2 July 2020|website=The Better India|language=en-US}}</ref>

The '[[mandal]]' was founded<ref>{{cite news|last=Pansare|first=Upneet|title=Since 1934, this family been making Ganesh idols|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/since-1934-this-family-has-been-making-ganesh-idols/215478/|accessdate=16 July 2012|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]|date=10 September 2007|location=Mumbai, India}}</ref> because of a vow (''Navas'') for construction of the present Lalbaug Market at its existing place. The marketplace at Peru Chawl was shut down in 1932. Hence, the fishermen and vendors who used to sit in the open place vowed to [[Ganesha]] to create a permanent place for their market. Aided by Kuwarji Jethabhai Shah, Shyamrao Vishnu Bodhe, V. B. Korgaonkar, Ramchandra Tawate, Nakhawa Kokam Mama, Bhausaheb Shinde, U. A. Rao and the local residents, landlord Rajabai Tayyabali agreed to dedicate a plot for the market. The fishermen and traders established the Ganesha idol on 12 September 1934 in gratitude. The idol was dressed in the customary fashion of fishermen. This idol is believed to fulfil the wishes of devotees. The mandal was formed in the era when the [[Indian independence movement|freedom struggle]] was at its peak.

In 2020, due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic in India|COVID-19 Pandemic]], the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal cancelled its traditional festivities for the first time in its in 86 years of its existence, instead focused on a campaign to raise awareness about the virus.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2 July 2020|title=This Ganesh Utsav, no Lalbaugcha Raja, 10-day Covid campaign instead|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/this-ganesh-utsav-no-lalbaugcha-raja-10-day-covid-campaign-instead/|access-date=4 August 2021|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>

==Caretakers==
The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganapati idol has been protected by the Kambli family for over eight decades.
[[File:Lal bagcha raja 1.jpg|thumb|Lalbaugcha Raja]]
Ratnakar Kambli (the head of the Kambli family) was a sculptor of idols and had roaming exhibitions at festivals across [[Maharashtra]]. He began protecting the idol in 1935, when some of his friends recommended his name to the organisers. After his demise in 1952, his eldest son Venkatesh took over and, after his death, Ratnakar Kambli Jr., assumed the responsibility.

Kambli Arts makes the parts of the Lalbaugcha Raja idol at its workshop; these are taken to the display area where they are assembled and painted. Finally, Ratnakar, who is nearly 80 years old, goes to the pandal and draws the eyes. The height is around 5-6 meters (18-20 feet).

== Arrangements for devotees ==
A few days before [[Ganesh Chaturthi]], a ''Mukh [[Darśana|Darshan]]'' (Holy sighting of the face) ceremony is organized by the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. This unveiling is covered by all national and regional channels.<ref>[http://sankashti.com/lalbaugcha-raja-2013-wallpapers-ganesh-chaturthi-2013/435/ Lalbaugcha Raja 2013 First Look]</ref>

The two queues for taking blessings of Lalbaugcha Raja are the ''Navsachi Line'' and the ''Mukh Darshanachi Line''.

The Navsachi line is for people who want to get their wishes fulfilled. Pilgrims go on the stage, touch the feet of the idol, and receives the blessings of [[Ganesha]]. This line attracts huge numbers of people, politicians and celebrities. It takes around 25–30 hours and sometimes up to 40 hours (nearly 2 days) to get darshan in this line. 300–400 employees every year support the event.

The second line is meant for Mukh Darshan, to view the idol without going onto the stage. It can take 5–8 hours or longer to get darshan in this line, especially on weekends.<ref>[http://lalbaugkaraja.com/lalbaugcha-raja-ganpati/ About Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati]</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Lalbagh, Mumbai, during Ganpati days.jpg|Lalbaugcha Raja 2014
File:Bappa.jpg|Lalbaugcha Raja 2009
File:Lalbaugcha Raja on its way for viserjan.JPG|Lalbaugcha Raja Procession getting underway just outside its pandal on route to [[Girgaon Chowpatty]] for Visarjana (immersion)
File:Lalbagcha Raja (2011).jpg|Lalbaugcha Raja 2011
File:Lalbaugcha Raja.jpg|Lalbaugcha Raja 2010
File:Lalbaug cha raja.jpg|Lalbaugcha Raja Visarjan (immersion) [[Miravanuk]] (procession)
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.lalbaugcharaja.com/ Lalbaugcharaja website] with all the updated details, including Aarti videos and live video
{{commons category}} 

[[Category:Ganesha temples]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Mumbai]]
[[Category:Culture of Mumbai]]

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Lalbaugcha Raja