The US ambassador to India Eric Garcetti offered prayers at Mumbai’s Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha on Wednesday. He visited Mumbai’s oldest Ganesh pandal with the Consul General at the United States Consulate in Mumbai, Mike Hankey. Scroll on to learn more about their visit and also the first Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal in Mumbai.
US Envoy Visits Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha, Girgaon
गणपती बाप्पा मोरया! 🌺
I had the honor of seeking Lord Ganesha’s blessings at the iconic Keshavji Naik Chawl, where the first public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi was hosted in Mumbai back in 1893! Bringing together people of diverse faiths, this celebration is a testament to… pic.twitter.com/wox30ohKTn— U.S. Ambassador Eric Garcetti (@USAmbIndia) September 11, 2024
Looks like even the US envoy in India has caught the Ganesh Utsav fever! The US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti along with Consul General Mike Hankey paid a surprise visit to the oldest Ganesh pandal in Mumbai, Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha. They visited the iconic pandal in Keshavji Naik Chawl and were there for nearly half an hour.
As per The Free Press Journal report, they spoke to the pandal organisers and learnt about the Ganesh festival and the history of this 132-year-old pandal. They even enjoyed the modak prasad and kesar milk that was served to them. Eric Garcetti took to X (formerly Twitter) to talk about his visit. He said that he was “honoured to seek Lord Ganesh’s blessings at the iconic Keshavji Naik Chawl.” He then went on to mention how this festival brings together people of diverse faiths and is a “testament to Mumbai’s pluralism and harmony.”
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More About The Oldest Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Pandal In Mumbai
Established in 1893, the Keshavji Naik Chawl’s Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha is one of the first Ganesh pandals in Mumbai. Nestled in the narrow lanes of Girgaon, this 132-year-old pandal was set up under the leadership of Rao Bahadur Limaye and Godse Shastri. As per a Hindustan Times report, they were close associates of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. So, after he gave out a call for public celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi, his close associates, and the duo started celebrating the festival in Keshavji Naik Chawl.
The pandal celebrates the 10-day festival simply and traditionally. The Ganesh idol here is made of clay and is about two feet tall. They have maintained this tradition for more than a century. The residents of the area come together to decorate the pandal and it is yet another tradition that brings them together. Unlike many pandals in the city, you will not see speakers playing loud music at this pandal. People bring Lord Ganesh in a palanquin and after the 10-day celebration, take him for visarjan in a similar manner at Girgaon Chowpatty.
It’s beautiful how Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha has maintained the essence of Ganesh Utsav! Have you been to the oldest Ganesh pandal in Mumbai? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: X/@USAmbIndia & X/@floresisle_lean
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