Of the many, huge pandals and incredible decorations during Ganesh-Chaturthi, there is one mandal in Surat that stands out.
Of the many, huge pandals and incredible decorations during Ganesh-Chaturthi, there is one mandal in Surat that stands out.
This one has placed the idol on a sailing boat. All rituals, including pooja and offerings, are done in the boat by a purohit and local people. Apart from being unique, the idol of Ganesha is eco-friendly and is aimed to promote awareness about Tapi conservation.
Apart from magnificent idols of Lord Ganesha, colourful pandals prepared for the deity are equally popular among the citizens and organisers. However, Shree Ganesh Yuvak Mandal of Rander is different from others and has selected a boat as pandal for the Lord. After decorating boat ornately with flowers, a special plank has been positioned in the middle of the vessel for the idol. Rather than keep the boat tied at the bank, it has been set afloat and is now spreading the message of 'Tapi Bachao'.
To make it convenient for devotees, a special platform has been erected at Siddheshwar Mahadev Mandir Ovara (Paanch Pipli Ovara) in Rander. All pooja activities are done on the boat, while it keeps on sailing on the river. Mandal members said that they were planning to place an idol on a boat for the last 25 years but the idea kept on getting postponed for one reason or the other. Now, when their much awaited wish has been fulfiled, everybody in the mandal is delighted.
"We wanted to spread the social message to people through Ganesh-Chaturthi and so decided to place idol upon a boat. While visiting our Ganesha, people will also experience the beauty of the Tapi River and will get inspired in conservation activity. We want to say that Lord Ganesha wants the Tapi to be preserved and protected from pollution," Kamlesh Sailor, mandal member, said.
Apart from saving Tapi, another reason for placing the idol in a sailing vessel is to get blessings for their boats. Majority of mandal members are dependent on boats for their livelihood, as they are engage in fishing and other activities in the river for their livelihood.
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