Bhakti Chalak

Ganeshotsav is not just a festival; it is a confluence of culture, tradition, and unity. Though celebrated in most parts of India, its foundation as a ten-day community celebration was laid in Maharashtra.

The biggest attraction of this festival is Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja (the King of Lalbaug). Revered by millions, this Ganesha idol is known worldwide as a symbol of national unity and integration. Today marks the 92nd year of the Lalbaug festival.

Ganesha is known as the deity who removes all obstacles from the lives of humans (Vighnaharta) and grants wishes (Navsacha Ganpati). Above all, his arrival on earth brings our national unity to the fore.

This year, something interesting happened to bring this unity.

A Velvet Curtain of Unity

This year’s theme of the Lalbaugcha Raja Pandal is based on the Tirupati Balaji temple. The majestic idol is seated on a golden throne, adorned in dark red silk robes (pitambar).

The half drawn velvet curtain over Lalbaghcha Raja pandal in Mumbai

The sight of the Lord holding a chakra (discus) in his left hand, a shankh (conch) in his right, and wearing a grand crown is mesmerizing.

With sparkling lights, gold decorations, and elephants standing guard at the entrance, the pandal wears the look of a palace. However, the highlight of this year's decoration is the 50-foot-high velvet curtain at the front of the pandal.

To accommodate a massive crown for the deity, the pandal's height had to be increased to 50 feet, and it required a 50-foot-high velvet curtain as attractive and elegant as the inside of the pandal.

This posed a major challenge to the team managing its creation. The committee launched a nationwide search and finally reached Mohammad Rais Khan, who lives in a village near Lucknow. Rais accepted the challenge, and he, along with his team of artisans, flew to Mumbai to make the ornate curtain for Lord Ganesha.

Artisans making cutain and foot rest for Bappa

The curtain at the front of the pandal is 50 feet high and wide. The girth of each pleated frill is eight feet.

Mohammad Rais Khan and his team came from Lucknow and worked around the clock on their machines to create golden patterns on the curtains. They took six days to create this masterpiece.

Made of velvet with ornate embroidery, the curtain has made this year's decorations for Lalbaugcha Raja look even more grandiose. This curtain is not merely a decorative piece; it has become a symbol of unity, faith, and art.

Reactions of Artisans

Rais Khan expressed his happiness at this assignment. He said he considers it his “fortune” to have contributed to the celebration at Lalbaugcha Raja.

This year, Maharashtra has declared it a 'State Festival,' a status that had entitled the Pandal Committees to avail of official grants and support. Through public participation, digital outreach, international recognition, and eco-friendly initiatives, this festival is set to become a cultural event that unites society, going beyond its religious identity.

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar with his family at Lalbaughcha Raja

He told the BBC, "Ganeshotsav is our festival too. We are not concerned only with money. We were earning more in Lucknow, but we wanted to come here and work, and we only wanted to make Bappa happy. We have done this decoration work with all our hearts."

In an emotional tone, he added, "I don't want to create a Hindu-Muslim divide; I want to walk together with everyone. Politics is not our job; let the politicians create the Hindu-Muslim divisions. Our God is one, only our faiths are different."

Mehmood Ali Shaikh, who crafted the soft cushion placed at the feet of the Lalbaugcha Raja idol, also spoke with the BBC. He said, "For the last 10 years, I have been serving Lalbaugcha Raja through my art. The more we live together without religious discrimination, the better it is. This will also maintain a good social atmosphere. Our unity is crucial for the nation's progress. Because the strength of ten hands is far greater than the strength of one."

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Balasaheb Kamble, the President of the Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal, said, "People of different castes, religions, and languages work together here under one roof. Our Muslim brothers are also doing various jobs here. They have worked extremely hard for the last five to six days to make this curtain. The Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal has always given the message of unity, and there is no place for any kind of discrimination here."