Aamchi Mumbai Ep.4

In Mumbai, people from all walks of life live together with harmony. The environment during the every festival is very cheerful and auspicious. In Mumbai a variety of festivals are celebrated by the respective devotees. The most prominent festivals of this city includes, Ganesh Chaturthi, Shiv Jayanti, Janmastami etc. All hardworking Mumbaikars who toil tirelessly all the year get a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and participate in these enthusiastic festivals with their families & friends. Entire city seems to be in a different kind of joyous mood & religious fervour. Here let's explore some of the mega festivals of Mumbai. 

1.  Ganesh Chaturthi :

Saarvajanik Ganesh Utsav is predominantly celebrated in Mumbai. If ever Mumbai has it's own God it will definitely be Lord Ganesh. commonly called as 'Ganapati' arrives in the months of August or september and there are Public Ganesh idols displayed where lakhs of devotees visit to seek blessings. 'Saarvajanik Ganesh Utsav' in the country was initially started in Mumbai Chawls. The most famous Ganesh idols of Mumbai are 'Lal Baug cha Raja' (King of Lal Baug) , Ganesh Galli Mumbai cha Raja, GSB Mandal Kings circle a. k. a. Gold Ganesh etc. The Lal Baug cha Raja is a synonymous to enthusiasm and happiness in Mumbai which is attended nearly by 1.5 million devotees everyday during the 11 days public festival. People wait for about 18 to 20 hours in queues only for one glance of the Lord. The grand idol of 15 fts is strategically built, it's eyes are painted in such a manner so that every visitor can have an eye contact with the idol from any direction. The Kambli family crafts this magnificent idol every year. One thing they had observed previously is that many visitors place their heads on the feet of the idol which resulted in damage, so to secure it from the this, the Mandal installed  Golden plated foot bags to the idol measuring of 2 fts & weighing around 40 kgs, these covering befit the grandeur of the king of all Ganapatis of Mumbai. This idol unlike other Ganapati do not have the typical body features while it has a body like that of a ordinary human being that is why it is fondly known as the King of Mumbaikars. It is rightly regarded as the 'Navsacha Ganapati' who fulfills all the wishes of the people. This year Lal baug cha Raja enters its 87th year because it's Mandal was founded in 1934 at Lal Baug market. Interestingly, Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja hosts the longest immersion procession in India. The immersion process commences at 10 am in the morning on the auspicious day of Anant Chaturdashi when the Ganesh idol along with lakhs of people on the roads take a tour of the city heading towards the Girgaon chowpatty where it reaches the next early morning. That entire night is very joyful in the city, on this day Mumbai sees the biggest public participation. People dance on the beats of famous Nashik Dhol and together enjoy it's rhythm . Interestingly, the Lal baug flyover was reconstructed when builders realised that the idol would not be able to pass underneath as the idol's height when kept on the crate is 19 ft and previously the height of flyover was 15 ft. After reconstructing, the idol could pass freely below the flyover during immersion procession, this shows the importance of this Ganesh in Mumbai that even the flyover was rebuilt so that people's tremendous faith remains intact. Heavy defence and police forces are deployed in the entire city on the 11th day. 

2.  Shiv Jayanti :

"दिल्लीचेही तख्त राखतो, जय जय महाराष्ट्र माझा"  Listening to these lines, the image which every Maharashtrian glimpses is of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who is considered as the 'Aaradhya Daivat' (Beloved God) of Maharashtra. Shiv Jayanti is the birth anniversary of legendary Maratha ruler Shivaji Maharaj who is the founder of Maratha empire and established the Hindavi Swarajya. Shiv Jayanti celebrations were started by Mahatma Jyotirao Phule in the year 1870. Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak again facilitated the massive celebrations of this day to bring all people together socially and to propagate the nationalistic ideas. Shiv Jayanti in Mumbai accompanies great cheer & warmth. This spectacular event brings all together that makes Mumbai the vibrant city in its colour, mood and joy. This day is also declared as a public holiday in Maharashtra. Marathi traditional singers, dancers are seen performing their talents such as Lezim on this day. Many activities are carried out at Shivaji Park a.k.a Shiv Teerth. Mainly this event is celebrated with processions where buildings, cars and streets are adorned with saffron flags. Lakhs of people actively participate in these processions and enjoy to the fullest. By witnessing this huge festival in Mumbai or any part of Maharashtra we can realise the significance and respect for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on this land, He's not only a ruler but the identity of Maharashtra. 

3. Janmastami :

ShriKrishna Janmastami which is the birth day of Lord Krishna, is prominantly celebrated in Mumbai. Special activities such as Dahi Handi involves both men and women seperately forming a human pyramid and breaking an earthen pot filled with curd and various liquid milk delicacies tied at a challenging height but the participants quite conveniently break the pot to celebrate the festival. This activity is cheered with slogans such as "Govinda aala re aala" (Govinda has arrived), dance, songs and hustle bustle. This event is celebrated along with pomp & gaiety. Mumbai is one of the best place in the country if you wanna experience lively and joyful festival. Many people come to have a look of this joyous event. These groups in Mumbai are called as 'Govinda Pathak' or 'Govinda mandal' they get a chance to win cash prize as a reward for their determination & hardwork. In 2012, Jogeshwari's Jai Jawan Govinda Pathak broke the world record by forming a highest ever human pyramid of 9-tiers of around 44 fts (13.35 m) in Dahi Handi  festival held in Thane and made a grand entry into the Guinness World Record. Many regional political parties organise & fund these activities and also arrange heavy cash prizes for these teams. Famous personalities from numerous fields are invited to promote this festival and the cash prize value has increased to nearly 1 crore in recent years. This festival is also marred by controversies, The Supreme Court has banned children under 12 years of age to participate in these activities considering their safety and also restricted the height of the pyramid. However the SC guidelines are opposed and objected by the political parties and even the participants. 

Other festivals such as Navratri, Christmas, Dussehra, Eid, Navroj are also celebrated with religious fervor. In Navratri during the 9 days, Garba and Dandiya events are organised on large scale where people dance on the beats & enjoy. Some associations host the grand Garba nights. 

These were some of the magnificent festivals take place in Mumbai and have become Mumbai's pride. One would always love to be in the city amidst the festivities to feel the cheer and pomp of the city. Till then goodbye, see y'all in the next episode of 'Aamchi Mumbai'

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