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In Mumbai, we can still find some places with clogged rainwater. But, the energetic ‘Amchi Mumbai’ is always bustling with crowds. On the one hand, Nashik Drum beats buzzes, and on the other hand, Maharashtra Police, as well as volunteers, control the crowds for Bappa's darshan. Thousands of devotees walk barefoot, and the same voice comes out of their throats, ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya’. With a belief in their hearts that Lord Ganesh will fulfill every wish, crowds of devotees gather.
The 'Lalbaugcha Raja' is indeed the king. Sometimes it seems that this king runs this Mumbai. This king also has an illustrious history.
In 1928, a community of local fishermen in Mumbai formed a congregation. The congregation was established in the Peru compound and consisted mostly of merchants and fishermen. The incident took place before Lokmanya Tilak's community engagement plan. In 1932, the market in Peru Chali was closed. At that time all the fishermen and traders there decided and committed that if they get to work in that place again they will set up a lifelong statue of Ganesha there. Residents and dignitaries persuaded Rajabhai Tayyabali, the owner of the area at that time, and got the place. A piece of this space was given free to merchants and congregations. Subsequently, the Mandal was functionally renamed, 'Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug.'
That year was 1934. Since then, Ganesha of Lalbaug has been portrayed as a common man. The Kambli family has been creating a statue of an elephant's face on the torso of a common man for years, i.e., since 1934.
Every year, the Mandal establishes Lord Ganesha in different ways. During the years of independence, Lalbaugcha Raja was also decorated as Gandhi, a farmer, Lord Vishnu, Lord Ram, and Sudama-Krishna. Every year this king appears with different themes and makes people realize that he is just like their own father. With the purpose that just like a father always protects us, so will Lord Ganesha too, the idol of Ganapati Bappa is prepared every year.
Every year this king comes before us with topics of various politics, achievements of the country, famous plays and epics, stories of various saints and great men, gods and goddesses, and Puranas. The congregation distributes all the donations to the people. This fund is used in the welfare of people, various contributions, etc. processes.
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The story of the Kambli family, who makes this idol, is also intriguing. Madhusudan Kambli first made this idol. Since then, to this day, the same family makes idols of Ganesha. The idol's eyes are its biggest attraction. Tears well up in the eyes of the people when they see the idol’s eyes. Even today, 77-years-old Ratnakar Madhusudan Kambli makes the eyes of the Lalbaugcha Raja. When the first idol of Ganesha was made, it was only five feet tall. Today, the height of the statue has been fixed at fourteen feet. Every family member has learned from Sir J.J School of Arts, Mumbai.
However, this family has been a sculptor family since 1920. They have been making Ganesha idols since that year. But, after 1935, they got recognition, and they finally got the patent to make this statue. Many sculptors were copying the icon of the Lalbaugcha Raja. So they patented their art.
Overall, this Lalbagcha Raja is a big brand. Because, to advertise in front of this brand, the rest of the brand has to bow down. They do their branding at exorbitant prices. Hence Lalbaugcha Raja is above all. He is the protector, the listener, the guide; he is the Bappa.
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