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Sunday, September 03, 2006

No loudspeakers at this Ganesha mandal


At the eco-friendly GSB Seva mandal, King’s Circle, only use of loudspeakers is to make announcements

It’s Ganapati time everywhere and praises of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ can be heard in every nook and corner of the city and even at the homes, temples and Ganesh Mandals. While scores of loudspeakers of the Ganesh mandals are blaring out loud music during the 10-day long festival, the GSB Seva Mandal in King’s Circle doesn’t believe in the trend followed by other Mandals.
Located near SNDT Women’s College, the mandal is celebrating its 52nd year of Ganesh festival and has roped in traditional drummers from the South. The speakers at this mandal are used only for announcements. Unlike the big mandals in the city, GSB Seva Mandal celebrates the festival for only five days. The idol of GSB Mandal is said to be the richest in the state with its ornaments valued at Rs 5 crore.
The idol of the Elephant God stands majestically at a height of 17 feet studded with 160 Kilograms of gold ornaments and Navratna stones. Each and every small part of the idol, including the crown, hands, feet, thread around the Lord, modak, throne, mouse and even the weapons have been showered with gold and silver.
The insurance amount of the ornaments, is a whopping Rs five crore, and it’s insured by Iffco Tokyo General Insurance. GSB Mandal has to pay an annual premium of Rs 2.5 lakh. The Mandal has installed an explosive detector, which can detect explosives within a 100-metre radius, a first for India and 16 cameras have been placed to keep a watch on the ornaments donated to the Lord.
“We wanted to secure the ornaments of the Lord due to its high price value. We have also placed enough security arrangements for keeping a close watch on the devotees who enter and leave the premises of this Mandal. Though we know that Lord Ganesha is with us, we don’t want to take chances,” said Dinesh Pai, Joint convener of GSB Seva Mandal.
Interestingly, ‘hawans’ and ‘pujas’ are conducted during the five days of its celebration. The idol of GSB Seva Mandal is also known for its miraculous powers. Lakhs of devotees visit the mandal with their prayer requests and offerings. Meanwhile, it’s not just Indian devotees who come to take blessings of this Ganesha, but foreigners too.
Among the devotees at this mandal, Shreedharan Kutty has come from Bhayendar with an offering of 100 coconuts. “Last year, I lost my job and was going through financial problems. Later, my neighbour asked me to visit the GSB Mandal with my prayer. Within months, I got another job and today all my worries are gone,” says the 42-year-old financial advisor.
Another devotee, 53-year-old Radha Nair has come from Dombivili with her children. “I come here every year with my children. I am impressed by the puja rituals carried out by the mandal. This mandal is different from the other mandals, as they don’t believe in simply showing off. There are continuous prayers and hawans done for five days. There are many miracles I have experienced,” says Nair.
On the other side, around 2000 volunteers dressed in traditional south Indian lungis monitor the movements of the devotees and help the priests in their puja rituals. “These 2000 volunteers are not small people. There are chairmen and directors of big companies who join as volunteers with the Seva Mandal. They let their business in the hands of Ganesha during these five days of festival and come to help the devotees at the Mandal,” says Sai Ramanayak, member of the Mandal.
Speaking about the Pujas and Hawans at the Mandal, Krishna Bhat, high priest at the Mandal said, “Last year, there were 22000 pujas conducted in five days. We have continuous pujas going on. There are people who come with their prayer requests. Later, if their wishes are fulfilled, they come with their offerings. The best part is the ‘Tula Bhara’, wherein devotees offer coconuts or ornaments according to their weight. These are rituals found in south India and one cannot find it in this city. The devotees are also fed with prasad in form of lunch.”

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