Rains dampen Azad Maidan Ramleela zeal
The mandal had earlier alleged that because of the Metro work they had to move 200 metres away from their original spot at the maidan and this new location is too marshy.
The Ramleela Mandal at Azad Maidan is worried as incessant rains since Monday have flooded the maidan. On the other hand, members of the Navratri Mandal of Chirabazaar have covered the Devi idol and moved it under Lalbaug flyover so that the rains don't damage it while taking it towards Girgaum.
The Ramleela Mandal organisers have no idea what they would do to the knee-deep water at the maidan. The mandal had earlier alleged that because of the Metro work they had to move 200 metres away from their original spot at the maidan and this new location is too marshy.
"Right now, there is knee-deep water in the maidan. Our performers from Ayodhya are expected on Wednesday night, and they will have a lot of properties. We don't know how and where all that will be kept," said Suresh Mishra, General Secretary, Shree Maharashtra Ramleela Mandal.
The tallest Devi idol of South Mumbai, which belongs to Chira Bazaar Tadwadi Mandal, changed its way and had to cover the idol with plastic sheets. "We normally don't go beneath the Lalbaug flyover but that was the safest route, as it would protect the idol from rains," said Amit Bhadricha of the mandal. The idol is 18 ft high.