Patnaites all set to welcome Lalbaugcha Raja

Less than a week is left for Ganesh Chaturthi and the devotes are already engaged in the preparation for the festival. In the past five to six years, the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi has become popular in the city. People not only visit the puja pandals but also celebrate it at their residence. Besides shopping for sweets and puja materials, people are also glad to welcome Lord Ganesh by buying colourful idols.
Cultural functions at Maharashtra Mandal
Last year, thousands of devotees gathered together at Maharashtra Mandal to get a first glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja draped in shining clothes.Besides the large idol, the other attraction will be cultural functions that will take place on all the puja days. Singing, dancing and drama will be performed by several young talents. Sanjay Bhosle, secretary of Maharashtra Mandal, said, “It was in 1893, Bal Gangadhar Tilak organised Ganesh Utsav as a social and religious function. It was him who put large hoarding with images of Lord Ganesh in pavilions and popularized the tradition of immersion of huge Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. We are trying to follow him and the rituals of Maharashtra so that people of Patna may know more about it.”
Celebrations by local people
Besides Maharashtra Mandal, local people have also started celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi at their home. Many clubs in Danapur is all set to worship Lord Ganesha in a magnificent way. Artisans who have been selling colourful idols at street-side of Baiely Road and Kadam Kuan are happy with the sale of their Ganesha idols. Tripti Mohan, a school teacher who resides at Boring Road said, “I belong to Indore and Patna is my in-laws place. Earlier, my family members were not very much aware about the rituals of this festival. But since I have become the family member, I informed them about the importance of this puja and now we celebrate it every year. We have brought a Ganpati idol at home with all love and affection. It will be immersed on the last day of the celebration.”