Vikhroli Ganesh idol made of durva grass, theme "Guru to Google Guru"
Vikhroli's Bal Mitra Kala Mandal has installed a Ganesh idol made from durva grass, with a theme tracing knowledge from gurus to Google.
Mumbai's Ganeshotsav throws up something new every year, and this time Vikhroli West's well known Bal Mitra Kala Mandal, known as "Vikhroli cha Morya", has surprised everyone. The mandal has this year installed a Ganesh idol made of durva grass in its pandal, and it is being said that this is the first time this has happened in the history of Ganeshotsav in Maharashtra.
Durva grass holds special significance in the worship of Ganpati Bappa, and using this same durva to make the idol of Bappa was the mandal's idea this year. This is why the idol has become a special attraction among devotees.
The Bal Mitra Kala Mandal was started in 1972. Along with religious festivals, the mandal has also taken part in several social causes over the years. This mandal, with decades of tradition, decided this year to try something different by making the Ganesh idol from durva grass.
Besides the idol, the mandal's theme is also drawing attention this year. The concept for this year's celebration is "Guru to Google Guru". Earlier, the guru was the main source of gaining knowledge, passed down from one generation to the next through the guru-shishya tradition. Over time, methods of learning changed and the influence of technology grew. Today, information is available within seconds through the internet and search engines. The concept "Guru to Google Guru" is based on this changing journey of knowledge.
The sculptor who made this special Ganesh idol is Ratan Bagwe. Bagwe, a resident of Bhandup, has shaped this form of Bappa from durva grass. The art direction for this year's display has been done by Swapnil Samant, while Vijay Kadam has written the concept and done the narration. Through the idol, art direction and narration, the mandal is trying to give devotees a different experience.
Durva grass is considered especially significant in Ganesh worship. The tradition of offering durva to Ganpati Bappa goes back a long time, and devotees especially offer durva to Bappa during Ganeshotsav. This is why the idea of making the Ganesh idol itself from durva, which is religiously linked to Bappa, has become a special attraction for devotees.
The pandal of "Vikhroli cha Morya" is located near Blumen Building, Station Road, Vikhroli West, Mumbai - 400083. Devotees in Mumbai will get a chance to see this different kind of Ganesh idol in Vikhroli this year.
On one hand an idol made of durva grass, which is dear to Ganpati, and on the other a theme like "Guru to Google Guru" connected to today's times, these two things have made this year's "Vikhroli cha Morya" special. The Bal Mitra Kala Mandal has tried to present traditional faith, environmental awareness and the changing journey of knowledge in the digital age together in this Ganeshotsav.
