Lucknow devotees drop letters to Ganesh wishing for peace

LUCKNOW: Apart from giving a resemblance to the Siddhi Vinayak idol in Mumbai, the major attraction at "Manautiyon ke Raja" Ganesh Puja pandal in Jhulelal Park here is a drop box, where devotees can post letters containing their wishes addressing the lord.
Several devotees from across the city and outside made a beeline to the pandal to drop their letters to the Lord in the box, placed right in front of the 5X3 feet Ganesh idol, wishing for happiness, peace and prosperity.
Indu Dasila from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, who was on a tour to the city, turned up at the pandal to offer prayers to the lord on Saturday. After learning about the popular belief at the pandal, she dropped a letter into the box wishing for the wellbeing of her family.
"I called my husband and sister and asked them about their wishes and later put two more letters into the box on their behalf," she said.
The pandal has been set up by Shri Ganesh Prakatya Samiti for the last 17 years.
Spread over 20,000 sqft, the pandal is air conditioned and decorated with huge chandeliers. Artistes from Kolkata have been invited to perform dance dramas every evening during the 10-day Ganesh Puja celebrations.