Mini Lalbaugcha Raja for some, queues for most

Like every year, tens of thousands will queue up to get a darshan of arguably Mumbai’s most famous visitor, Lalbaugcha Raja. But only a few lucky ones will be able to avoid the queues where devotees are known to spend 24 hours or more for a darshan that barely lasts a few seconds.

Santosh Kambli, the third generation of a family that has been sculpting the Lalbaugcha Raja idol since 1935, was flooded with requests to make replicas of the idol by many who said they find it difficult to make the journey to Lalbaug (central Mumbai), or wait in queue for the darshan. Kambli has been making replicas for the past three to four years. This year, he has made 125 small replicas (2.5-3.5-foot-tall), and 28 larger replicas (6-9-foot-tall).

“I got many requests from mandals to make a 12-foot-tall replica, which is the height of the original Lalbaugcha Raja. But I told them clearly that there is only one Lalbaugcha Raja, the rest are all replicas. At no cost will I make another one of this height,” Kambli said.

Last year, more than 10 lakh visited the Lalbaugcha Raja whose popularity has gone up over the past decade.

Kambli said, “I refused more than 100 orders for replicas. It’s not possible for me to make so many, I don’t have the time and space for it. So, I stop taking orders after June. Most place their orders well in advance.”

“I have seen a few people getting original gold jewellery made for the replica. I have seen the kind of faith they have on the god. That’s why I make a few replicas,” Kambli added.

Kambli got orders for replica from many high-profile devotees too, including actress Shilpa Shetty, as well as politicians, top police officials and industrialists.

Swapna Shinde, a resident of Pratiksha Nagar, who has been taking home a replica of the Raja for the past three years, said, “I have a lot of faith in Lalbaugcha Raja. He is lucky for us. He fulfils most of our wishes. Instead of waiting in the queue, my family and I decided to bring the Raja home, which has also created lot of positivity in our house.”

A new trend that has started now is that people have started placing orders for Maghi Ganeshotsav, which is celebrated in February, in September itself. Kambli has already received orders for a replica of the Raja for the festival next year.