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This article was first published 14 years ago

Mumbai celebrates Ganeshotsav with gusto

Last updated on: August 26, 2009 

Image: Mumbai's most famous Ganpati: Lalbagh ka Raja
Photographs: Sahil Salvi

Mumbai celebrated its first Ganeshotsav in the aftermath of the 26/11 terror  attacks, under the looming shadow of swine-flu.

Devotees thronged to the various mandals and celebrated the festival with traditional pomp and fervour.

Lalbagh ka Raja was thronged by devotees who streamed in to see Mumbai's favourite deity.

The gate to Mumbai's favourite Ganpati

Image: The enterance to Lalbag ka Raja's pandal
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
The enterance to the pandal in Lalbagh in central Mumbai was done up with traditional motifs. Security around the area was also increased. The idol has traditionally been among the tallest in Mumbai.

Mumbai celebrates Ganeshotsav

Image: Devottes pray at a Temple in Vakola, in Central Mumbai
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
Devotees in Shivaji Nagar in Vakola, a central Mumbai suburb celebrated their 25th anniversary of Ganeshotsav by replicating the Akshardham temple in their tableau.

26/11 is a popular theme

Image: A tableau depicting the 26/11 attack
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
A tableau depicting the 26/11 terrorist attack on Mumbai at the Balgopal Mandal in Sewree, Mumbai.

Eco-friendly Ganeshas are here

Image: School children make eco-friendly-Ganeshas
Photographs: Sahil Salvi
School children in Nagpur have made a eco-friendly version of the Ganesh idol. Unlike the usual idols made of  toxic paints and non-biodegradeable materials, these idols are made with earthen soil.

Unusual designs for Ganesh idols

Image: An Idol decorated with Om symbols
There are fair number of idols that unusual this year includes an idol decorated with Om symbols.

A pearl-studded idol

Image: A pearl studded Ganpati idol
A pearl-studded idol adorns the tableau at a pandal in Byculla.The idol has been studded with 21,000 pearls.

Idols being taken to their pandals

Image: Idols being taken from the workshop
Photographs: Sahil Salvi

Ganpati idols being taken to their from a workshop in Parel in south-central Mumbai.