With the Ganesh festival just a fortnight away, many mandals have decided to eschew the ostentatious decorations and social messages, and instead, spend the money on social causes.
With the Ganesh festival just a fortnight away, many mandals have decided to eschew the ostentatious decorations and social messages, and instead, spend the money on social causes.
Prominent mandals such as athe Lalbaugcha Raja, Parelcha Raja, Tejukaya, and Ganesh Gulli Mandal have decided to skip grandiosity and keep fewer decorations, themes and social messages this year, and instead channelise the money to funding a social cause.
Mangesh Shinde, the organiser of Tejukaya, said, “We have planned a non-elaborate pandal this time, even though it is in the form of a castle. We do not have a social message theme this year, but we intend to give all the donations we receive to farmers in drought-affected areas. We complete 50 this year; so we will have lightings.”
Similarly, the Ganesh Galli Mandal plans plans to channelise the money towards funding education of needy school kids.
However, the organisers of Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshostav Mandal have slightly more elaborate plans. President of the mandal, Bala Saheb Kamble said, “We will flash social messages constantly and perform small skits on pressing issues. These include the Save Water campaign, the Swachh Bharat campaign, where we will appeal to citizens to keep the city clean, and tell them how, and the Beti Bachao campaign.”
Meanwhile, devotees can now get direct darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja, as the organisers have made a provision of live feeding of the mahapooja. Sudhir Salvi, Secretary, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshostav Mandal said, “It is not necessary that everyone visit the venue personally. Through our tie up with Shemaroo entertainment, we want to make this a great viewing experience for the entire family, so the video will be available for television and mobile phones.”
