Mandals ready to replicate monumental success

Ganesh mandals get inspired by temples, historical monuments, heritage structures

Ganesh mandals are again gearing up to display artful mastery of replicating India's heritage at their pandals this festive season.

The Suryaday Mitra Mandal Kabadi Sangh, Rasta Peth, has styled its pandal on the lines of Karnataka's Udupi Shree Krishna Math, a famous temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. "It is believed that once a disciple of Krishna was not allowed to enter the temple for some reason. This did not disappoint him but it encouraged him to pray outside the temple. While he was praying, the wall that blocked him from seeing the idol of Krishna, broke down and formed a window," said Jaydeep Kutiyan, president of the Sangh. "Even today devotees of Krishna worship the idol through that window. Our replica will have a big Ganpati placed besides an idol of Krishna," he added.

At Shahu Chowk, a replica of Uttarakhand's Kedarnath temple has been put up by Rajeshwari Shahu Chowk Ganesh Utsav Mandal. "We will make the 12 auspicious jyotirlingas inside the pandal. As the temple is made of stone, we are trying to bring that stone effect on the exterior of the pandal," said Sanjay Naik, president of the mandal.

The Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Trust is almost ready with its gigantic replica of Jaipur's Hawa Mahal. "After we decided on the theme, we went to Jaipur to study the structure. We took photographs and made sketches and notes to understand the details," says Vivek Khataokar, art director of the Hawa Mahal themed pandal. Just behind the Hawa Mahal structure, there is a replica of the Ajanta-Ellora caves put up by Hutatma Babu Genu Ganesh Mandal Trust. A huge Buddha statue lies outside which will soon be placed inside the pandal.

Akhil Navi Peth Haati Ganpati Mandal does not have any particular theme for its pandal at Sadashiv Peth, instead the pandal will be just like the one found during Durga Puja in Bengal. "Every year we place our Ganpati on a pedestal, but this year as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our idol, we will keep it in open for the public and the visit will be free of cost on the days of the festival," said Sham Mankar, president of the Mandal.

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