Ganpati mandals rejoice as HC permits idol immersion in sea

Time of India

6 days ago

Mumbai: Ganpati mandals are relieved at Thursday's Bombay High Court order permitting PoP idols over 6 ft tall to be immersed in the sea. They had been wary of organising full fledged celebrations in the absence of proper permissions.
Now that the curbs have been lifted they are going ahead full steam with their usual tall moortis, decoration and fundraising.
Ankur Lad, spokesperson for Khetwadi Cha Vighnaharta of Girgaum, said artificial tanks were not suited to tall moortis. "PoP idols of 20-25 ft contain metal and iron rods and frames inside for support. In fact even clay idols of that height, like Girgaon Cha Raja, have wood inside. Such idols won't dissolve at all, because how deep can you make artificial ponds," he reasoned.
Even as the tug of war over PoP was under way, some mandals voluntarily switched to eco-friendly raw material. Rajendra Sawant, secretary of the 77-year-old Ambedkar Nagar mandal in Worli, said, "Our 10 ft idol was usually made of PoP. But after the earlier ban and concerns over environment safety we used a clay idol. This year it is carved from tissue paper. The decision had to be made quickly as we were sceptical about waiting for the decision over PoP immersion.
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Abhinay Hate of Kandivali Cha Vighnaharta said their idol is 14 ft tall. "We too were tense about the ban even though we immerse our idol in a pond in any case. But this time there is no confirmation yet for the protocol to be followed at the pond where we usually go. The HC order is a big relief, though."
The prominent Chandanwadi Ganeshotsav mandal near Marine Lines hosts a 26 ft tall moorti. Secretary Prathamesh Sakpal said, "Thousands of Ganpati idols are immersed every year amid processions that include lakhs of people.
It would be problematic if there was an interruption." In Andheri West, the Saat Bangla Cha Raja stands 22 ft tall. Vice president Amith Kadam said, "Immersion of tall idols beyond 6 ft would have been impossible to execute in artificial tanks.
Thanks to the HC order we can now continue our preparations with ease."
Santosh Narkar, newly elected chairman of Khetwadi Cha Raja in Girgaum said their idol is 31 ft tall. "Our moortikar Aniket Shevale has carved an outstanding idol this year."