Muslim wrestler initiated Vadodara's public Ganesh festival 120 years ago

VADODARA: Few know that one of the earliest public celebrations of Ganeshotsav was initiated by a 107-year-old Muslim wrestler some 120 years ago. Jumma Dada, a famed wrestler in the erstwhile state of Baroda, started Sarvajanik Ganesh Mahotsav at his akhaada in 1901 to instill a sense of patriotism and brotherhood amongst youth.
"Jumma Dada organized the public Ganesha festival to bring youngsters together and instill in them a sense of patriotism besides celebrations," Rajendra Harpale, managing trustee of Prof Manekrao's Jumma Dada Vyayam Mandir told TOI.
City-based historian Chandrashekhar Patil said, "Jumma Dada was the first to organize a public Ganesha festival on a large scale to usher in communal harmony and unity among the people. Before his initiative, some temples used to organize community Ganesha festivals. His disciple, Prof Manekrao continued the tradition that lives on even today."
"Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had started the Sarvajanik Ganesh festival in Maharashtra. Tilak regularly visited Baroda to meet Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. During his visits, he learnt about Jumma Dada and his activities. Jumma Dada was inspired by Tilak to start a similar public activity during the Ganpati festival in the erstwhile Baroda state," Harpale explained.
After their august meeting, Jumma Dada started a public Ganesh festival at his Vyayam Mandir that he had established in 1880 in the Baroda state and was immensely popular among young boys and girls. In fact, Jumma Dada's Vyayam Mandir even gave shelter to freedom fighters during British rule.
Jumma Dada also set a tradition of installing a clay idol of Lord Ganesha in the Vyayam Mandir in 1901, which, interestingly, continues to date.
"We have continued with the same looks and size of the clay idol till now," said Harpale, who is in possession of the pamphlets of that era that mention how several programmes including sword fights, wrestling, mal-khamb, and physical exercises were organized during the Ganesha festival in the akhaada.