Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi lakhs of devotees from different parts of the nation visit Mumbai to seek blessings of Lalbaugcha Raja. Many believe that whatever mannat (wish) you make at this place it will be soon fulfilled.
Alongside the current bright shots from the pandal, rare photos of the Bappa’s idols from the early days of the establishment have appeared online.
The images provide devotees with a beautiful glimpse of Bappa’s appearance from 1934 to the present day and depict the evolution of the Ganpati statues through time.
The viral video offers a mix of black and white pictures and recent colour photographs of the Lalbaugcha Raja’s idol.
From a small local gathering to a significant cultural event, the Lalbaugcha Raja has grown over the years.
The video that has gone viral on social media showcases the idol’s evolution over time, closely examining the distinctive appearances Bappa adopted during the Ganesh Utsav era in the past.
An X user commented on this post, “Incredible! 90 years of devotion and tradition. May this legacy continue to inspire generations to come.”
Another user commented, “The old ones were so creative with statues.”
It is pertinent to note that in 2024, Lalbaugcha Raja commemorated its 91st year of Ganesh Utsav. During the 10-day festival season, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvjanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, which is situated in the Lalbaug region of the city, draws a large number of devotees.
On September 5, the public was allowed to see Ganpati Bappa’s idols. This was known as the Virat darshan or first view of Bappa here. The main darshan for devotees is open from September 7 Ganesh Aagman to September 17 Ganpati Visarjan.
How Did Lalbaugcha Raja Gain Fame?
Local fishermen formed the Mandal that organizes the festival there every year. In 1931, the market in Peru Chawl was closed, at that time the local fishermen and traders vowed to install Ganapati if they get a new place for the market, and thus, in 1934, installation of Ganpati started in Lalbagh market.
Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal started to receive substantial media coverage after 2001. Thereafter, visitors started flocking, which included social workers, Bollywood stars, cricket players, businessmen, and well-known political leaders.