MUMBAI: Amid a worsening pandemic situation, Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh Mandal has dropped the Ganesh festival celebration this year. Instead, it has decided to organise health and medical camps. The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal has been installing the Ganpati idol at its pandal in central Mumbai since 1934.
Sudhir Salvi, secretary of Lalbaugcha Mandal, said its members met on Tuesday via Zoom and decided to drop the celebration this year in view of Covid-19. “During the 10-day Ganesh festival, around 10 lakh devotees come for ‘darshan’. A large gathering can cause the highly infectious coronavirus to spread further. We do not want to put more pressure on the already burdened healthcare system and the police department,” said Salvi.
“So, instead of celebrations, we have decided to organise health camps to include blood donation, plasma therapy and offer financial help to the martyrs’ families,” he added. Salvi said the Mandal wants to set a good precedent in this hour of crisis. “Lalbaugcha Raja and its Mandal are known for good things, development and welfare initiatives.
We have also decided to contribute Rs 25 lakh to the chief minister’s relief fund. We are with the government in facing the pandemic situation,” he said. Earlier, the Lalbaugcha Mandal had decided to reduce the height of the Ganesh idol. “But many devotees argued against it. As per tradition, we can either increase the height of the idol or drop the festival,” said Rohit Hugale, one of the devotees.