“Lalbaugchya Rajacha Vijay Asso”
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Lalbuagcha Raja( https://lalbaugcharaja.com) =============================
Lalbaug……. the first thing comes in front of my eyes is the big Ganapati idols especially of Lalbaugcha Raja, Ganeshgalli’s Ganapati and Tejukay Mansion’s Ganapati………. they are all about 28-30 feets tall…… Lalbaugcha Raja is the main attraction of ganesh devotees in Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav………Lalbaugcha Raja has a majestic divinity to him……whatever you demand in front of Lalbaugcha Raja, he will fulfilled it………. Lalbaugcha Raja has a tradition of 72 years…….whole mumbaikar praja seeks the blessings of the Raja.
I alongwith my 2 friends decided to join the immersion procession of Lalbaugcha Raja on Anant Chaturdashi…….We reached lalbuag at 9.30 a.m.
10.00 a.m.: Lalbaug - Huge rush of devotees to take last darshan of the Raja and to participate in an immersion procession…….they were coming from all parts of Maharashtra…… some of them were from UK & US……Lalbaugcha Raja is the first to move out of pandal……that also suggests the immersion procession begins throughout Mumbai….as per tradition, Ganeshgalli’s Ganapati leading the procession, followed by Lalbaugcha Raja…. procession begins with “Ganapati Bappa Moraya, Pudhachya Varshi Lawkar Ya” “Lalbagchya Rajacha Vijay Asso”……Lalbaugcha Raja surrounded by volunteers and sea of devotees….some devotees were singing and dancing…… total atmosphere was electrifying….
2.30 p.m.: Shroff Building – main attraction here was pushpanjali…….two mushaks at the height of 50 feet done the flowers showering on Lalbaugcha Raja…. Shroff building has this tradition for the last 50 years.
3.00 p.m.: Chinchpokli – Thousands of people waiting for the darshan of Raja….apple garlands offered to the King…. Volunteers around the Raja accepting the garlands, keeping it at his feet and throwing back to the peoples….procession halting minutes after minutes due to huge rush of Bhaktas….
7.00 p.m.: Byculla – Byculla Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal done Flower showering on Lalbaugcha Raja………Lalbaugcha Raja welcomed at Hindustan Masjid….Hindustan Masjid Committee offered a huge garland to the Raja with the help of rope….best example of Hindu-Muslim unity….Large number of muslim women were rushed to touch the feet of Lalbaughcha Raja….the procession moves on….
9.30 p.m.: Nagpada – This is a muslim dominated area…….large number of muslim devotees were present in long queues for the darshan……they offered their prayers and garland to the Raja….
11.40 p.m.: Clare Road – Large number of devotees were present both side of road……. Currency garland were offered to the Lalbaugcha Raja……Nashik Baja was beating at full speed……devotees were dancing and singing without any break….
1.20 a.m.: Doan Taki – Again, this is a muslim dominated area….garland made up of coins were offered to the Raja….Prasad was distributed……Muslim brothers were distributed sarbat amongst the devotees….Bhagwa flag was flying high on the back of Lalbaughcha Raja….
2.10 a.m.: Kumbharwada – Mid-night hours, but large number of devotees waiting hours after hours to welcome Lalbaugcha Raja……devotees everywhere, in balcony, terrace, windows, trees.…eagerly waiting for the darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja….
3.50 a.m.: C P Tank – Large number of devotees present for seeking the blessing of Lalbaugcha Raja……Local volunteers in the area supplied food to the devotees….
4.30 a.m.: V P Road – Early morning hours……Hindu, Muslim, Christians, Parsi, Sikh….devotees from all religion and all walk of life offered their prayer to the Lalbaugcha Raja…… afterall he is Mumbai’s favorite god…… Lalbagcha Raja moves further….
6.00 a.m.: Girgaum – thousands and thousands of devotees joined the procession at each and every stage of procession…. after such long hours, volunteers calmly doing their allotted work….Girgaonkar performed aartis of Lalbaugcha Raja……the enthusiasm amongst the devotees was the same as it was at the beginning of the procession…….procession moves to the final destination.
8.00 a.m.: Chowpatty – After 22 long hours, procession finally reached to the Girgaon Chowpatty for the immersion……final aarti of Lalbaughcha Raja was performed here…. Lalbaughcha Raja was then immersed in the Arabian Sea in presence of rising sun.
According to the sources, over 150000 devotees took part in this immersion procession……more than 1500 volunteers worked around the clock….more than 4 lac garlands were offered to the Lalbaughcha Raja.
This is a lifetime experience for me. I will not forget this grand farewell given by Mumbaikar to Lalabugcha Raja.
(Those who missed the procession of Lalbaughcha Raja can join me next year, till the time take his darshan at https://lalbaughcharaja.com)