World's tallest Ganesha idol attracts thousands

KOLHAPUR/MUMBAI: The small town of Penin Raigad district is famous for its intricately carved Ganesh idols, but forthe last three years Toap-Sambhapur, in Kolhapur district has become thecynosure of all eyes. The village hosts the world''s tallest Ganesh idol, amagnificent 100-foot peach statue that towers over the sugarcane thickets alongthe Pune-Bangalore highway.Unveiled by Parampujya Gurudev SwamiChinmayanandaji in November 2001, the colossal Ganesh (locally known as ChinmayaGanadish), has become a magnet for hundreds of travellers, who take a detour offthe highway to visit the idol. Visitor traffic peaks during the ten-day GaneshChaturthi celebrations, when over 5,000 devotees make their way toToap-Sambhapur. "On holidays and festive days like Ananth Chaturthi we have over2,000 visitors," said Brahmacharini Karunachaitanya of the Chinmaya Seva Trust,which built it.Constructed over two years, the idol is seated on afive-headed snake and is made of cement, iron rods, clay and plaster of Paris.Celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in an ecofriendly and modest way is the trademarkof the Chinmaya mission trust. "The celebrations are simple, no clamorous crowdsor loud music. We perform the mahaarthi and abhishekam in the mornings andevenings, distribute prasad and serve free meals to the poor," said a seniorfollower from the mission.Citizens, environmentalists and groupslike Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti (ANS), Friends of Nature and the manyRotaract clubs have played a vital role in convincing devotees visiting theplace to immerse their Ganesh idols in artificial ponds instead of lakes andrivers. Sheetal Ghatge, a faithful from Mumbai, said the huge idol andpicturesque settings made it an ideal place for introspection and prayer. "It isa different experience to see Lord Ganesh with his four outstretched arms andcharming smile welcoming weary travellers from a distance of four kilometres,"she said.Hemant Srinivasan from Bangalore said the mandals shoulduse the donations for a social cause. This year, the famous Dagdusheth HalwaiGanapati Mandal Trust from Pune, which is known for splurging lakhs of rupees ondecorations, has decided to curtail its expenditure and divert the money todrought relief in the state. The trust plans to save Rs 75 lakh, of which Rs 25lakh will be spent on drought-hit areas and the tribal belt of Junnar andAmbegaon."We took the decision in view of the malnutrition deathsamong tribal children," said trust president Prataprao Godse, adding that he hasurged 40,000-odd Ganesh mandals in the state to follow suit.