Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya! The chant is ready to echo through Lucknow as Ganesh Chaturthi draws closer. At Jhulelal Vatika near Hanuman Setu, preparations for the city’s much-awaited Manautiyon Ke Raja are already underway, with artisans working on the grand pandal ahead of Bappa’s arrival on Monday, September 14. Across the city, other major Ganesh Utsav celebrations are also taking shape, promising elaborate décor, cultural programmes and 10 days of festivities.
Lucknow gets Bappa-ready
One of the biggest preparations is underway at Jhulelal Vatika near Hanuman Setu, where Manautiyon Ke Raja is set to return. The city’s largest and best-known Ganesh Utsav, the celebration is known for turning its pandal into a full-fledged attraction, often with towering temple-inspired structures, rides and food stalls. This year, the pandal at Jhulelal Park will draw inspiration from the Swaminarayan Temple, while the six-foot Bappa idol will be modelled on the lines of Mumbai’s famous Siddhivinayak.
Artisans from Kolkata are being brought in to work on the pandal, which will be waterproof and equipped with CCTV cameras. Separate seating arrangements for men and women are also being made. Like every year, there is also a more personal tradition attached to Manautiyon Ke Raja. Devotees can write letters to Bappa with their wishes, with the belief that these prayers are fulfilled within a year.
Meanwhile, Paper Mill Ke Bappa in Nishatganj has a new identity this year: Lucknow Ke Maharaja. After themes such as a Kedarnath temple replica and a 50-foot Shivling in previous editions, the organisers are taking a traditional route this time. The centrepiece will be a large golden kalash, with the Ganesha idol placed inside it and the arrangement topped with mango leaves and a coconut.
The idol’s make-up will take cues from Goddess Lakshmi, with gold dominating the overall décor. The celebrations will run from September 14 to 23. A dandiya night is planned for September 19, followed by a performance by the Anuj Kathak Group on September 20. Dance competitions for children and adults, with trophies and prizes, along with art-and-craft activities and food stalls, are also on the cards.
Elsewhere, Ganesh Mahotsav at Patrakarpuram, Gomti Nagar will return with its elaborate South Indian temple-inspired pandal, air-conditioned interiors and a large idol surrounded by the Shiva family. Aliganj Ke Raja at Nehru Vatika Park is also preparing its elaborate décor, while Aminabad Ke Raja will bring the celebrations to the heart of the city’s busy market. In Alambagh, the local pandal is known for its floral decorations, elephant motifs and grand setups inspired by Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja.
And these are only the bigger names in Lucknow. Several neighbourhoods across the city will also bring Bappa home with their own idols, pandals, aartis and community programmes as September 14 approaches.
