75 years of Independence: Mumbai's Ganesh mandaps enveloped in tricolour

MUMBAI: Nationalistic sentiment is on proud display in sarvajanik pandals at Ganeshotsav 2022. At least two venues, Sahyadri Krida Mandal in Tilak Nagar, Chembur, and Barvenagar and Akhil Bhatwadi Mandal, Ghatkopar, have chosen the 75th anniversary of India's Independence as their festive theme.
Sahyadri mandal's treasurer Jaya Shetty said, "Our entire mandap will be decorated in the colours of the Tiranga. The entrance is modelled like the original India Gate, and inside the mandap, we have portraits of freedom fighters including Gandhiji, Nehru, Bhagat Singh, Rajguru, Sukhdev and Rani Laxmibai of Jhansi."
Its regular venue of Samaj Mandir hall continues to be under renovation so Sahyadri will host Ganeshotsav at the smaller 5,000 sq ft Vrindavan Society for the third season. "Our 3.5 ft Ganesha will be seated inside a model of the Red Fort. The decor is very attractive and for this we credit artisans Rahul Parab and Nikhil More," said Shetty.
The 62-year-old Barvenagar and Akhil Bhatwadi mandal in Ghatkopar has devised its festival around the "story of our nation from the day of independence till date", says mandal president Vilas Bala Chavan. The organisers will chronicle the achievements of the Nehru-Gandhi era for the modern generation whom they feel requires a reminder of India's brick and mortar progress.
At the NMMC Ground in Turbhe, Navi Mumbai, the 52-year-old Shivchaya Mitra Mandal of the Navi Mumbaicha Raja is building a replica of the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir in Ayodhya.
Shivchaya had donated Rs 25,000 towards the temple's construction. Mandal president Ankush Vaity personally gave Rs 11,000. He said, "The popular and controversial Ram Janmabhoomi issue having been resolved after a long legal and social strife, has given us a national sense of pride and heritage. So residents must be keen to have a look and feel of the shrine. That is what led our mandal to opt for this theme at our festival celebrations. We are certain that this will attract maximum visitors to our 10-day Ganeshutsav."
Its Ram Mandir replica is housed in an area spanning 80 ft x 40 ft, the temple's frontal height is 30 ft and the main 10 ft deity is housed in a structure that is 20 ft tall.