As the country’s one of the most celebrated Ganapati festival is near, all the public ‘Ganapati Mandals’ are gearing up to welcome their favorite ‘Bappa’ in the most unique way. Since last 3 years Gujrat’s ‘King of Billimora Ganapati Mandal’ is bringing their Ganapati idol all the way from Mumbai.
From Chinchpokli factory to Gujarat’s Billimora Mandal distance is 226 km.
The last two years they had faced many hurdles in travelling idol to their ‘Mandal’, so this year they extremely expensive and special arrangements for the idol. In the second year Gujarat had a very dreadful flood situation. Hence, a safety trolley has been made from fiberglass and iron for the idol last year. The Sculptor Santosh Kambali makes this Ganapati idol in the factory in Chinchpokali area in Mumbai. The ‘Billimora Ganapati Mandal’ from Gujarat made a box packed trolley worth rupees 5 lakh to travel its favorite Ganapati Bappa safely from Mumbai to Gujarat. While this trollwy cost Rs. 5 Laks, the Bappa’s idol cost around Rs. 1 Lakh.
On 18th August the members of the Billimora Mandal started travelling from Mumbai to Gujrat. After traveling for more than 18 hours, the Ganapati idol reached its place on 20th August. A tractor was rushed to Mumbai to pull this trolley. In addition, the Mandal made the other special arrangements as well for the Mandal members. They had brought all the food ingredients from Gujarat and a special cook to make their meal. They had also brought many things like generators, stepney, cutters, welding machines etc. The most important thing is that a hydraulic machine was installed with trolley, so that the idol could be up lifted up to 10 feet tall.
Ganesh devotees from all over the country are gearing up for the arrival of their beloved ‘Bappa’. Considering holiday on Sunday, some Ganesh Mandals took their Ganapati idol in their Mandals. There was a large crowd in the Lalbaug, Parel area for the procession of ‘Kalachauki MahaGanapati’ and ‘Grant Road Cha Raja’. Same time the Billimora Mandal Gujarat’s Ganapati idol was also taken.
Parimal Dhivar, President, King of Billimora Ganapati Mandal
“The Ganapati idols made in Mumbai has the highest demand from various parts of the country. In view of the rainy situation, the Mandal decided to make this special trolley to prevent the idol from any hurdle. Mandal has spent 5 lakh rupees for the trolley. This trolley box is made using fiber and iron.”
