No show of Lalbaughcha Raja this year, devotees and travellers from across the country to wait till next year

Mumbaikars won’t be able to have darshan of the magnanimous Lalbaughcha Raja Ganapati during the Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic. This decision has been taken by the Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal in Mumbai, considering the risk involved in hosting the mass event when Mumbai is already trying hard to battle COVID-19.

According to the latest reports, the Ganeshotsav Mandal will organise a blood and plasma donation camp for a period of 11 days instead of setting up a grand Ganapati idol.
The officials told the press that a blood donation camp and plasma donation camp will be organised at the same place. They will also honour the families of martyrs, who have died battling at the Indo-Pak or Sino-Indian borders. Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations will start on August 22 this year.
Every year, the Lalbaughcha Raja attracts devotees and aficionados from all over the country. It is different from other pandals for various reasons. People from all walks of life and strata of the society without any distinction can have darshan of the idol. In fact, the idol itself is one of the biggest in the city. Another interesting facet of Lalbaughcha Raja celebrations is the visarjan, which starts at 10 AM on the final day and ends the next day. While the idol passes through Byculla fire station in Mumbai, all the sirens of the stationed fire extinguishing vehicles sound in unison as a mark of respect for Lalbaughcha Raja.
However, Mumbai’s residents and all others who had planned a trip to Mumbai on Ganesha Utsav this year will have to wait until 2021 to behold the Lalbaughcha Raja.