Ganeshotsav 2015 Part 3

The third and final part of Ganeshotsav 2015 through the lenses of my friend Paras Masurekar.

Tulsi Building Khetwadi - This year the Eco Friendly mandal made their Bappa from various types of Mukhwas !

GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, Wadala - The Bappa is studded with Gold ornaments and so is his Sinhasan (Throne).

Girgaoncha Raja - An appearance of Lord Khandoba. The eyes are so lively that you can keep gazing at them for hours.

Kumbharwadyacha Sukhakarta - 5th Kumbharwada - This is the 2nd consecutive year I am seeing a very unique Idol of this Mandal. Just loved this Bappa.

Lalbaugcha Raja - The King himself

Rustam Rahivashi Chawl, Lower Parel - Got to know a very interesting story here. The pandal is located on 2nd floor of the chawl, in the passage just besides the staircase.

The Mandal was formed 35 years back, when one of the resident of the chawl made Navas (wish) which got fulfilled and Lord Ganesha started to reside in the Chawl for 10 days. The uniqueness is that A picture of Ganesha is drawn by the resident every year which is being worshipped and a Coconut is being placed in front of it which gets immersed every year. 

We have been hearing the concept of Eco Friendly from the past 5 year or max to max 10 years. But this chawl has been practising it for the past 35 YEARS !!!!

What more can we say.. Lord resides in every human's heart & its the perspective how each individual sees it !

Sahyadri Krida Mandal Chembur - The idol is in the appearance of The Maratha King - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj.

Hope you liked the gorgeous Bappas in and around Mumbai. Let me know, which one was your favourite in the comments below.

Ganeshotsav 2015 Part 2

We are back with the second installment of the Ganeshotsav 2015 pics. Sorry for the delay in posting. But better late than never. :)

Mumbadevicha Ganraj - The Mandal was into their 75th anniversary this year. A beautiful Sea World was created with Bappa's Idol riding on fishes !

Lower Parelcha Ladka - Look at the Elegance this Idol has.

Lal Maidan Parel - This Bappa is one of my favourite. The appearance of their Idol is the same every year - a fair coloured Bappa.

Taikalwadi Dadar - Just look at his ornaments & the grace with which he carries it !

                              

Chinchpokli cha Chintamani - The most adorable Idol of this year. And yes with its Online popularity, Chintamani is the most loved Bappa !

Ganeshotsav 2015 Part 1

Well..I know Navratri has started already, but at So-Saree we are still talking about Ganeshotsav.

Just like last year, I asked my friend Paras to share pictures of the numerous Ganesh Pandals that he religiously visits every year. And he didn't take even a second to say yes.

So here we go...over to you Paras.

Ganeshvari 2015

The word “Vari” means the practice of proceeding regularly at monthly or annual intervals on a pilgrimage or to any sacred place.

For me, the 10 days festival of Lord Ganesha is a ’Ganeshvari’ which I do every year by visiting various pandals across Mumbai and within my city – Dombivli and take darshans of as many Ganapati Bappas as possible.

There is no said number or any mannat. It’s just the love to see the Lord, to praise the work of the artisan and to see our Dear Mumbai coming to life 24x7, all united to welcome and serve their beloved Lord Ganesha!

This year too, I was blessed to get darshan of 200+ Bappas while traveling within Mumbai and the suburbs, a distance of almost 450 kms on my Top Gun – Royal Enfield Electra.

For the sake of So-Saree readers, I am glad to share my photographs of Lord Ganesha, consecutively for the 2^nd year. Thanks to Aditi, for asking me to share my photographs and for giving me the liberty to pen down a few words.

For this year I have kept the focus on -
The Bhaav (Mood / Emotion) & Netra (Eyes);
these 2 facial components are the ultimate ones which brings an Idol to Life!

They portray the mastery of a Murtikar (Idol Maker) in his idol making skills which he has perfected over the years.

Along with these, there are a few idols which I feel have the Grace, the Elegance and by the first look of these Idols, one would bow down before the Lord and praise the maker for his artistry.

Hope you all enjoy the photo collection, as much as I do.

 

 

 
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The simplicity of the idol lies in the fact that Bappa is in the appearance of a Varkari.

 
An adorable avatar of Bal Ganesh. The Chandrakor (Bindi) and the fringe (Lat) on his forehead make him look gorgeous... doesn't he?

 

Shree Vighnaharta Mitra Mandal, Dombivli (W) - This is the most beautiful Idol I have seen this year. If you look at eyes, they have used eye lashes ! The lashes and the Blue eyes make the Idol come alive ! It was as if he was straight looking at his Bhaktgans.