Theme-based pandals have been set up in various parts of the Ahmedabad.
Devotees dancing to the tunes of dhols and DJ music escorted Lord Ganesha to different homes and pandals in the city on Sunday. Idols of the Lord would be installed on Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday.
The Gulbai Tekra market of the city, popularly known as Hollywood, where these idols are made, witnessed significant rush on Sunday afternoon.
This year too, mandals will have unique, attractive themes for the festival. At Dakshini Society of Maninagar, the 21-feet idol, made of fibre, has India Gate in the background. Explaining the theme, convenor of Shivshakti Yuvak Mandal, Parag Naik said, “We are praying to Lord Ganesha that there be no vigna (obstacles) in Narendra Modi’s moving towards Delhi.”
The mandal has been installing Ganesha idol in their society for last 65 years. They have decided not to immerse the idol, but to keep it intact for 10 years, to preserve the environment. “Every year, we will change the decorations and the theme, but the idol will remain the same. For worship and immersion, we have placed another 1.5-feet idol of clay,” added Naik.
Bhadra Yuvak Mandal, which is completing 50 years of organising Ganesh mandap in Bhadra area near Tilak Chowk, is planning to make the event grand this time. Chairman of Bhadra Yuvak Mandal, Pravin Jagtap said, “This year, we have Lord Ganesha in a palkhi. The mandap will show life-size idols welcoming the Lord. Many characters have been kept on the stage indicating a palkhi yatra of the Lord and devotees (idols) in action.” Life-size idols of two young girls have been shown playing fugadi around the 4.5-feet idol of Lord Ganesha with the help of electric system.
Meanwhile, artist Sunil Thakor has prepared Ganesha and his vaahan (vehicle) mouse on the theme of inflation and rising petrol prices. The artist has shown Ganesh idol on a bicycle while in background two mice are seen struggling with their motorbike. The idol, made of thermocol, will be on display at Gheekantha.
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