Mumbai: A selection of beautiful Ganesh idols will colour the cityscape during the 10-day festival from Sept 7-17. From Khetwadi to Kherwadi, Sion to Mulund, Nalasopara, Vasai-Virar, Thane and Navi Mumbai, mandals have engaged skilled moortikars and set designers to carve idols and set up mandaps, one better than the other. Some idols resemble Lord Vishnu, others Lord Shiva, with a few precariously balanced on mountains or snakes.
The traditional enclave of Khetwadi in Girgaum is famous for housing the tallest idols in the city, some towering at an astounding height of 35-38 ft. Moortikar Sunil Varadkar has created a 35-ft tall sculpture of Ganpati as Lord Krishna of Gokul for the Khetwadicha Mahaganpati of Lane 8.
The 22-ft tall Dakshin Mumbaicha Raja is also located in Khetwadi precinct, opposite Khambata Lane near Platinum Mall. Mandal member Vinayak Medge said their idol strikes a royal pose and wields a staff in hand. Around 150 people participated in its aagman yatra.
The 85-year-old mandal of the Tardeo Cha Raja has carved its 24-ft tall idol to resemble Lord Krishna. The deity is seated as Dwarkadhish in a beautiful Sheesh Mahal. “Our mandal does much social work like donating computers, sports equipment and 10,000 books and pens to the Vasai-based Girsh school whose students travel up to 10 km to study,” said organiser Ganesh Bhosale.
In Bandra, the Vandrecha Samrat has designed a tall replica of Khatu Shyam astride his horse, one hand holding its reins another holding aloft a flag. Moortikar Arun Datte’s carving skills have enlivened this tableau as the steed and rider appear to be in motion together. Datte’s talent is also in evidence at the Parelcha Maharaja whose eight-armed Ganesh is carved in warrior mode, resembling Lord Shiva. Its arrival procession Aug 17 drew large crowds, with similar rush expected at its pandal once the festival begins.
In Navi Mumbai, the mandap of Shivchhaya Mitra Mandal in Turbhe reflects the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj that took place in 1674. Mandal president Ankush Vaiti said, “The 80-ft long, 40-ft wide and 25-ft tall display of the crowning ceremony and the 10-ft idol of Lord Ganesha is a highlight of our 54th Ganeshotsav, which is the oldest public Ganesh festival in our city. Amol Pashte of Chembur has designed the display and Kunal Dingankar is the moortikar who crafted our Navi Mumbaicha Raja.”