Raipur: Ashtavinayak’s local address since 1905

While thousands of Ganesha idols installed in mandaps all over the city are portraying contemporary styles and innovative themes, there is one another whose design has remained unchanged for over a century now.

The Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal at Raipur maintains the same look, style and poise of the idol from over 100 years ago when it was set up for the first time.

Inspired by freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak, Maharashtrians of the city came together and started the Sarvajanik Mandal in 1905. Every year since then, the mandal has installed Ganesha idol modelled on the original one.

“Sarvajanik Mandal was the first to start Ganesha celebrations in the city. The tradition has been alive for 108 years now,” said Sanjay Nikte, former secretary of the mandal.

“The only thing that has changed is the classical music programme. Lack of interest among people made us discontinue it, but we still organise magic shows for kids and other cultural events like dramatics, singing and others,” added Nikte.

Lack of funds and oppression by the British had forced the mandal to organise the first Ganesh Chaturthi from a Maharashtrian household, informs Narendra Golwelkar, current president of the organisation. The funds for the same were collected from Raipur residents and nearby areas.

“A three-feet-tall clay idol was installed at Ram Narayan’s household. He was very much inspired by Tilak’s initiative for mass celebrations of Indian festivals,” said Golwelkar.

“The festival was celebrated at his place for two years, following which the venue was shifted to Desai ni Pol, Puranik Niwas and then to its current location at Raipur Chakla forty years ago.”

“The design of the idol has remained the same,” he added.

The mandal is witness to India’s freedom struggle and then savoured its Independence but not without its share of anecdotes. During Ganesh Chaturthi of 1918, a procession was passing by Victoria Gardens for immersion of the idol in the Sabarmati. The fanfare disturbed the British praying at the IP Mission Church.

“The English police immediately came out and ordered the procession to be stopped. Angered, Vishnu Golwelkar and Moreshwar Jhambhekar (first secretaries of the mandal) slapped the police officers. They were arrested and a court case was registered against them,” recounts Golwelkar.

They lost their jobs due to the court case but their faith remained unshaken.