Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal to not hold Ganpati Mahotsav amid COVID19 pandemic. It will be the first time in 86 years that the Mahotsav will not take place. The temple was established in 1934. Mumbai's Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav is famous for its grandeur and festivities especially during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. Many Bollywood celebrities including Amitabh Bachchan and family, Ekta Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Shilpa Shetty among others visit the Temple and seek blessing from Lord Ganesha. Even business tycoon Mukesh Ambani's family regularly visits the temple Due to coronavirus pandemic, the festivities will not take place this year.
ANI tweeted, "Mumbai's Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal has decided not to hold Ganeshotsav this time in wake of #COVID19 pandemic. A blood & plasma donation camp will be set up in its place: Lalbaughcha Raja Ganeshotsav Mandal (in the picture - last year's Ganpati idol at Lalbaughcha Raja)"
People will celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on 22 August this year. Many Ganesh Mandals have already decided to not celebrate the festival with huge pomp and show in order to contain the spread of coronavirus. Instead, the Mandal has decided to set up blood and plasma donation camps.
The coronavirus cases have been rapidly increasing in Maharashtra which has become worrisome for the government. Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray recently thanked all the religious communities for co-operating with the government during the lockdown.
Bollywood celebrities reactions:
Bollywood celebrities like Pooja Bhatt, Dia Mirza, Vikrant Massey among many others also reacted to the decision and lauded the organizers for keeping in mind the health of the people. Dia Mirza tweeted, "Times are compelling big changes. It would also be a giant win to make #LalbaugchaRaja eco friendly. Many good people have requested the committee over the years. Do you think they will consider making the largest Ganpati Bappa - Earth Friendly? May be now they’ll change?" On the other hand, Karanvir Bohra said, "Ganesh & Mother earth will be so happy Folded hands I'm sure every one will follow by this example #LalbaugchaRaja"
Pooja Bhatt tweeted, "Truly commendable and must be applauded! We are what we do not what we say we will do. Wish more people could take Inspiration from this truly wise and humane step taken! 'जय जय महाराष्ट्र माझा'"
Vikrant Massey wrote, "Thank you to the Trust & Committee of #LalbaugchaRaja for rising to the occasion & probably setting a precedent for other institutions to follow suit in these trying times. I bow my head in reverence to the Mighty Ganpati Bappa for mercy & peace! "
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