Lord Bappa bid sombre adieu minus Dhol and Tasha
Each year, the Maghi Ganpati Utsav is celebrated with pomp and spectacle for 10 days and then bid a tearful adieu. However, this year, due to the Pulwama tragedy that killed 40 CRPF jawans, Mulundkars bid adieu to Lord Bappa in silence, minus the traditional dhol and tasha.
On February 8, devotees of Lord Ganesha brought the idols of Lord Bappa with ceremonial pomp and spectacle amidst echoing dhol and tasha. However, all the enthusiasm and excitement turned into sorrow with the tragic news of 40 CRPF jawans martyred in the brutal and heinous Pulwama attack. The heartrending news plunged the nation in and all celebrations were cancelled in honour of the martyred jawans.
Many Ganpati mandals organised tributes and paid homage to the departed jawans. Some other Ganpati mandals switched to bhajan sangeet, mahaprasad, medical camps, etc. In addition, as a mark of respect, Mulund and the suburban Ganpati mandals gave farewell to Lord Bappa in silence without the music of customary dhol and tasha.
Shree Swami Charitable Trust’s replica of Ayodhya’s Ram temple attracts devotees
The highlight of this year’s Maghi Ganpati attraction in Mulund was Shree Swami Charitable Trust’s set of the replica of Ram temple proposed to be constructed at Ayodhya. It was such a huge attraction that, besides the local devotees, even film stars from the Hindi and Marathi film industry visited to take darshan and were bowled over by the majestic Ram Mandir set!
