Exclusive - Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati 2020 called off: Bigg Boss 13’s Devoleena Bhattacharjee, Rashami Desai and others support the decision

Mumbai’s famous Lalbaughcha Raja Ganpati won’t be held this year. The announcement was made today by the organizers of Ganeshotsav in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of the Ganesh Festival, the Mandal has decided to celebrate 'Aarogya Utsav' by setting-up a blood and plasma donation camp. Speaking to ETimes TV, many actors from the TV industry lauded this decision and expressed their views as well. (By: Sukarna Mondal & Vijaya Tiwari)

I visit Lalbagh bappa every year and this year not having him will be like the same feeling not meeting my mom over a year. But yes, looking at the current situation I stand along with the government and authorities with the decision made by them. I wish Ganpati arrives and sees the pain around and forgives our deeds and gift us a win over Covid.

Hats off to all the trustees for taking such a big decision and taking care of the entire situation that is happening right now due to Covid- 19. To make such a huge murti as Lalbaugcha Raja is not just a murti but people's belief. He is made at the place where he is seated, and it's a really big decision they have taken trying to help the society and the current situation for which police have to be there. As so many people come from different places to take the blessings from Khetwadicha Raja and LalbaugchaRaja. Not just Ganesh chaturthi, it is the time when most of the festivals are celebrated. So it is very unfortunate, but we should think about our lives, not take it lightly and follow the rules and regulations, that's what I would like to say. And I hope that we all keep spreading love and become stronger mentally.

I support this decision because I want people to be safe. I think God is there in our heart so even if we sit at our home and pray he will be happy. When everything gets fine I will surely visit Lalbaughcha Raja probably next year. I am definitely going to miss visiting Lalbaugh this year as this would have been the 5th year of me consecutively visiting there but that’s okay because I feel even Ganapati bappa would want us to be safe. So I totally support the decision taken by the people from Lalbagh.

I was actually expecting this to happen because of the current situation that we all are facing right now. September is the time of arrival of Ganpati, its July already and we have to follow the social distancing for a really long time. We all know the countless number of people gather to get a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja or any Ganpati pandal in general and to follow rules at that point becomes difficult and the risk surely increases. I'm actually sad that this year I won't be able to visit Lalbaugcha Raja and get his blessings but this is the need of the hour and I was honestly expecting this to happen. Like I said I'm surely going to miss the darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja as I have tons of memories with it. Usually, in Ahmedabad, the Ganpati is not celebrated on such a large scale for 9-10 days and when I came to Mumbai for the first time I saw it as people told me to go there for sure and not miss it. And when I went there for the first time I experienced that there is a presence of power there. I can't express in words how amazing that feeling was and I can never forget that day when I looked him in the eyes and I was lost completely, I have been visiting Lalbaugcha Raja every year since.

Of course we will miss our visit to Lalbaugcha Raja. Mumbai is known for this. It is unfortunate and it is a good move as the Coronavirus cases are increasing. Government has to see the safety. I have fond memories of visiting there. Health issues come first. I hope we revive soon as normal. Next year, we will celebrate with double bang.

Ganpati utsav bahut adhoora hoga. I have fondest memory of visiting Lalbaugcha Raja from last year. And it gives a different feeling. I have heard that if you go there with pure heart, your wish gets fulfilled. Apart from that you get positive vibes. I am very upset because of this pandemic. This year I don’t know if people can also celebrate at home because of social distancing. Everyone will miss Bappa. Never thought we will get to hear such thing. But our well-being is of utmost importance. It is being controlled with a lot of difficulty and it’s a smart decision. We should stay at home and remember Bappa with our heart.

It is definitely a positive move as nothing is more important than human life. These guidelines are made to save human lives and we should definitely follow them and celebrate Ganpati at our respective houses and take his blessings. Every year I used to go to Lalbaugcha raja to take his blessings and going there in itself is a surreal feeling. But I know He is there with us forever… because we need to understand as Osho says ‘Nature is manifest God and God is unmanifest nature’.

Lalbaughcha Raja has always had fond memories with me. I remember visiting it almost every year but in keeping the pandemic and the troubles faced, I do feel the decision to not have celebrations on that level is justified owing to it not being safe and crowds that would not be manageable. I still hope the cure is found soon and we can rejoice like every year after all triumph of good over evil right.

Lalbaugh Ganpati will be a major missing this year. But looking at the situation I'm with the decision taken by the government and the authorities. As we say God is everywhere…so this year I urge people to pray from home…and I wish that we win over Covid.

We are stuck and the current situation doesn't allow us celebration as the battle against covid is still on. In such a situation we will welcome our bappa but in a very virtual and peaceful way. We will anyhow miss the grand function... but that’s what the time demands. I stand by the decision.

It is a rightly taken decision, given the corona cases are on rise in Mumbai and Ganpati is a widely celebrated festival all over the city, attracting massive public. Having ganpati pandals where public visits in huge numbers might worsen the Covid situation the country is reeling with. We can still have ganpati at our homes with our families. The spirit of the festival can remain without the scare of getting infected and thereby keeping everyone safer.

I feel bappa will be proud of our decision… as it's not actually a time of celebration. It’s a time to be more helpful, time to understand humanity and be kind. I respect the decision and also I feel like lalbaugh raja and all major gathering mandaps should celebrate virtually... and wish for winning the fight against covid.

I have never visited Lalbaugcha but you do feel this year in keeping the conditions and for health and safety reasons all festivals and functions need to be rethought and postponed. I am with them on this decision.

For every Mumbaite, Ganpati celebrations mean the most. This year with the pandemic it’s been an all time low already and now the celebrations going kaput. I will definitely miss it but health wise and safety wise I think it’s well thought of.

For me I’ll miss a lot. I love the Lalbaughcha raja and I wish it was there but looking at the conditions this year and people are so unruly I think in a way it's a good decision that has been taken but personally will miss it a lot.

Ganpati is a big time. This year with no lalbaugh bappa… the thought itself is making me sad and upset. But can't be greedy looking at the current situation. I wish bappa comes virtually and takes away this disease back with him… granting us all a healthy life back. I respect and stand with the decision.

I can’t say it’s a positive or negative move. It depends on people’s faith. I know a lot of people believe in Lalbaugcha Raja. I have seen so many people going every year. I know many will be upset that they won’t be able to visit or go for a darshan. But I as a person strongly believe that if you want to pray and seek blessings you can do it anywhere. Though I have never visited Lalbaugcha Raja, I have always planned to visit. But, my friends or relatives would get Prasad from there. That is one thing I don’t miss out on. This decision is for everybody’s safety.

I think right now to avoid any kind of crowded place is a smart move. I don’t think we need a designated place to celebrate God. God is omnipresent. It’s a correct decision by the organizers to cancel it.

I always celebrate Ganpati. The festival before arrival only makes the Mumbai city so lively. But after the news, I find it quite difficult to accept the fact. The news is giving a feeling like I was waiting for my family member and he isn’t coming. Looking around the current situation I support the decision and wish bappa bless us and we win the fight.

Safety comes first and when the entire machinery is working day and night to control the spread I think it’s a very healthy and positive decision and Bappa will bless us more if we as citizens do our bit to support. I always wanted to visit Lalbaugcha but somehow I couldn’t... Maybe by Bappa’s grace next year.

I think saving lives and keeping people safe is the highest priority and I am glad it’s come from the biggest Ganesh Chaturthi mandal in the city. I hope people understand the need of the hour and act wisely like they have.

I think it’s a lovely initiative. Lal Baughcha raja has always given so many blessings over the years and many devotees believe he has showered happiness for years ... “When king says ... the kingdom will follow” I hope everyone will follow the king as an example. I am extremely happy and proud of the committee's decision.