Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor joined thousands of devotees in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on Monday. He visited the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja pandal and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha.
Gor, who visited the famous pandal during the 10-day festival, described the experience as extraordinary and urged those who have never witnessed the celebration to experience it for themselves. The US envoy said the atmosphere at Lalbaugcha Raja was unlike anything he had experienced, pointing to the scale, energy and sense of community surrounding the celebrations.
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“It’s absolutely incredible. I’m honoured to be here. It’s great to be invited. I think everybody should come here and see this, because there aren’t many places that are this vibrant. The energy is incredible. It’s hard to describe if you’re not here. So if you’ve not been here, come,” he said.
GOR SHARES GANESH CHATURTHI MESSAGE
Gor also took to X to share his experience of visiting the pandal, describing the celebrations as a vibrant expression of faith and community. “Delighted to visit Mumbai Cha Raja and Lalbaugcha Raja. A truly vibrant expression of faith and community that brings people together. Wishing everyone celebrating a wonderful Ganesh Chaturthi,” he wrote.
His visit came as Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra marked one of India’s most prominent religious festivals, with devotees gathering at homes and public pandals to welcome Lord Ganesha.
The streets of Mumbai have been filled with celebrations, devotional music and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” as devotees seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
LALBAUGCHA RAJA AT CENTRE OF MUMBAI FESTIVITIES
Lalbaugcha Raja remains one of Mumbai’s most recognisable Ganesh idols and has become a defining symbol of the city’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. According to ANI, the idol is associated with the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal at Putlabai Chawl. The mandal was established in 1934 and has since grown into a major part of Mumbai’s annual Ganesh festival.
The idol’s tradition has also been closely associated with the Kambli family, which has been involved in maintaining it for more than eight decades. Every year, large crowds of devotees make their way to the pandal to seek blessings, making Lalbaugcha Raja one of the most visited Ganesh idols in the city.
Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across Maharashtra and several other parts of India. The festival begins on the fourth day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Bhadrapada and culminates with Anant Chaturdashi. Devotees install idols of Lord Ganesha in homes and community pandals before offering prayers and taking part in cultural and religious celebrations.
The festival honours Ganesha, who is revered as the “God of New Beginnings”, the “Remover of Obstacles” and the deity associated with wisdom and intelligence.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
