Iconic ‘Lalbaugcha Raja’ of Mumbai To Not Hold Ganeshotsav First Time in 86 Years in Due to COVID-19 Crisis

On Jul 1, 2020

Mumbai: ‘Lalbaugcha Raja’ will not arrive this year in Mumbai. Lalbaug Ganpati Mandal has taken this decision due to the Coronavirus crisis. Lalbaug Ganapati Mandal announced on Wednesday that due to the COVID-19 situation in Maharashtra, Ganapati sthapana of Lal Bag will not be done this year.

The idol will be replaced by a smaller one of about 3-4 feet for the puja and other ceremonies. A blood and plasma donation camp will also be set up at the venue, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal said.

Mumbai's Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal has decided not to hold Ganeshotsav this time in wake of #COVID19 pandemic. A blood & plasma donation camp will be set up in its place: Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal (in the picture – last year's Ganpati idol at Lalbaughcha Raja) pic.twitter.com/1FiHg68QAX
— ANI (@ANI) July 1, 2020

‘Lalbaugcha Raja’ is one of the largest statues of Ganapati in Mumbai. From film actors like Amitabh Bachchan to industrialists like Mukesh Ambani also visit this pandal. There is a rush of millions of people to visit Lalbaug, which has the high risk of increase in corona infection. That is why this is the first time in 86 years that the Ganapati pandal of the Lalbaugcha Raja will not be set up.

The move has been taken in adherence with an appeal by Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to mark Ganeshotsav 2020 with more devotion but less pomp in the wake of the raging Covid-19 pandemic.

Maharashtra is the worst affected state in the country as far as the number of cases and deaths are concerned due to the coronavirus outbreak. Of the 5,85,493 cases across India, Maharashtra alone accounted for 1,74,761 infections. As many as 7,855 people in the state have succumbed to the illness so far out of the overall 17,400 death toll.

Following Thackeray’s appeal, all Ganeshotsav Mandals in Maharashtra, especially the ones that are famous for giant idols, took a voluntary resolution to limit the height of idols of Lord Ganesha to less than four feet, news agency IANS reported.

Normally, the Lalbaugcha Raja idol is around 15-feet. Other giant-size idols in Mumbai, Pune and other areas will also exercise restraint in this year’s Ganeshotsav celebrations that will commence on August 22.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation on Tuesday announced that the total number of containment zones in the city has been increased to 750. Mumbai has so far reported a total of 77,658 coronavirus cases.

Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati Mandal has a rich history of 86 years. Lakhs of devotees from world over, including celebrities from Bollywood and sporting world visit the pandal annually. The 11-day festivities at Lalbaugcha Raja also witness tremendous following on traditional media and social media platforms.