Videos from Mumbai's famous Lalbaugcha Raja on Sunday showed staff and bank employees begin counting the donations collected as Ganesh Chaturthi 2024 celebrations started on Saturday.
Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival, seeks to celebrate the birth of Lord Ganesh, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. It involves 10 days of meticulous worship, and is believed to help devotees establish all the tasks they desire. This year, Ganesh Chaturthi began on September 7, 2024, and will conclude on Anant Chaturdashi, September 17, 2024. The festival begins with devotees bringing Ganesh idols home, and ends with their immersion in a water body amid much fanfare.
"The first day of the counting is in progress... Employees of Bank of Maharashtra who have been associated with us are counting the donations. Our staff are also there. Donations come from all across the world. Seventy-80 staff count the donation," said Lalbaugcha Raja treasurer Mangesh Dalvi to PTI. "In the evening, we deposit the donations in the bank. We also spend the money in society,"
Located in Putlabai Chawl, Lalbaugcha Raja is known as the 'King of Lalbaug'. It is one of the most frequented Ganesh mandals in Mumbai.
Devotees Welcome Lord Ganesh
On Saturday, along with scores of families across India, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official residence in south Mumbai. Shinde, along with his wife and MP son Shrikant Shinde, conducted a 'puja' at Varsha, the CM's official residence.
Talking to reporters later, the CM said he prayed to Lord Ganesh, known as the god of wisdom and prosperity, for the well-being of the state.
Shiv Sena (UBT) president and former chief minister Uddhav Thackeray and his family members, including his MLA son Aaditya Thackeray, visited the Lalbaugcha Raja mandal for darshan on the first day of the festival.
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan performed 'aarti' of Lord Ganesh at his official residence 'Jal Bhushan' in Raj Bhavan.
Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Lord Ganesh at his official bungalow, 'Sagar', while Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray conducted a puja at his residence 'Shivtirth'.