Ganesh Chaturthi 2022: Lalbaugcha Raja first look unveiled

The first look of the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh idol was unveiled on Monday, August 29. Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal is all set to celebrate the festival in a big way this year after two years of the ban during the pandemic. 

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Lalbaugcha Raja is the well-known and most visited Ganesh idol in Mumbai. Every year, thousands of devotees come to offer prayers to the Lalbaugcha Raja. 

This year a 12-ft high Ganesh idol has been made at Lalbaughcha Raja and famous art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai has given shape to the pandal decorations. The 12-ft high idol of Lalbaugcha Raja is seen sitting on the throne and the Ayodhya Ram temple has been selected as the theme this year. 

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Soon after the unveiling ceremony at Lalbaughcha Raja, Bala Kamble, the president of the Mandal, said, “We will ensure that everyone gets a darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja. The Mandal has set up big mandaps for people coming for darshan. We have made sitting arrangements for women, senior citizens, and children. There is 24-hour water available for visitors and we also serve tea and biscuits from time to time. For security purposes, we have installed around 250 CCTV cameras and metal detectors. We have also hired private security agency personnel.”

He further added, “After muted celebrations for two years, we are expecting that more people will visit the pandal this year.”

All about Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav

Lalbaughcha Raja completes the 89th year and was first started in 1934 at Lalbaug Market by fishermen of the Koli community. The Lalbaughcha Raja Ganesh idol remains for 11 days every year and there are two kinds of darshan at this pandal. The Navsachi Darshan also popularly known as Charan Sparsh has a queue of devotees, who want to pay their respects to the deity by touching his feet.  The queue for Mukha darshan comprises devotees who want to behold the Ganpati idol from a distance. The Lalbaughcha Raja pandal is located in central Mumbai and can be easily commuted both by road as well as local trains.