Traumatised Mumbaikars look to Ganpati for good news

MUMBAI: The forthcoming Ganpati festival, dedicated to the elephant god Ganpati and marking the city's most popular celebration, could perhaps be the balm needed to soothe the frayed nerves of Mumbaikars still picking up the pieces after the devastating 7/11 blasts.

After days of bad news, blood and violence, the massive 10-day festivities beginning Aug 27 could perhaps wipe out the blues and the uneasy cynicism that has seeped into Mumbaikars following the serial explosions that killed up to 200 people and left over 700 injured.

"It is high time something good happens to the city, something that will pep up our spirits and let us forget all our problems," said Raghunath Bhide, a shopkeeper in Borivili in western Mumbai.

"(The) Ganpati (festival) is one thing that will bring us back to our usual life - one that is full of fun and flourish," Bhide told IANS.

The congested Lalbaug area in central Mumbai is already abuzz with activity. Scores of men are busy turning clay and wood into well-rounded idols - complete with tusks and serpentine trunks - of the cherubic Hindu god Ganesh, or Ganpati.

The annual festival is held with great fanfare and with millions participating in the revelry.

It is a timely distraction from the spate of unfortunate events that have hit India's commercial capital, beginning with the heavy rains that partially submerged the city of 18.5 million and killed six people July 3.

The deluge was followed by communal violence that erupted in the northern industrial suburb of Bhiwandi. Two policemen were murdered by a mob July 9 after two people were killed in police firing.

On July 10, activists of the Hindu rightwing Shiv Sena went on a rampage in the city and other parts of Maharashtra protesting the alleged desecration of the statue of Meenatai Thackeray, the late wife of Sena chief Bal Thackeray.

The very next day came the terror blasts that targeted the commuter train network, the city's lifeline, sending waves of shock and anger among the residents.

But now people are looking to put their troubles behind them with thousands of festival committees (mandals) setting up marquees and installing the idols of the elephant god, most of which will be submerged into water bodies after the 10-day event.

"There are more than 7,500 mandals registered with the charity commissioner in the city alone. If you add up the unregistered ones, the number will cross 10,000," said Kundan Agaskar, president of the Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, a body associated with organising the celebration.

"Like each year, it is going to be massive and indeed a treat to watch," said Agaskar.

Considered the biggest and most important of festivals in Maharashtra, it marks Lord Ganesha's birthday on the fourth day (chaturthi) of the bright fortnight of the Bhadrapada month of the Hindu calendar.

Last year, the festivities were toned down in the aftermath of the July 26 floods and the following epidemic that claimed around 1,000 lives in the state.

But this time, the celebrations will be on in full swing.

"We have already got orders for several idols. They range from 2.5 feet to 10 feet in height and cost anywhere between Rs.600 and Rs.1,500," said Ramesh Dahisarkar, an idol-maker from central Mumbai.

One of the most popular mandals, the 72-year-old Lalbaugcha Raja ('King of Lalbaug') Sarvajanik Ganeshostav Mandal spends close to Rs.2.5 million every year on the festival and is famous for its intricately decorated marquee.

"On an average our mandal makes a collection of Rs.15-20 million. This year is not going to be any different though I know there will be some security considerations," said Sudhir Salvi, mandal secretary.

"But there will be no major changes or issues this year and we hope the Ganpati festival will enliven the harrowed spirits of citizens," Salvi said.

Last year's prayers - "Ganpati Bappa Moriya, Pudhya Varhse Jaldi Aa" (O Lord Ganpati, the king, please come back soon next year) - could not have been answered sooner.