Patna: The countdown to Ganesh Utsav in Patna has begun, with the Maharashtra Mandal preparing a grand celebration featuring a pandal inspired by the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai and a replica of Mumbai’s iconic Lalbaugcha Raja as the main attraction.
The pandal construction is in its final stage, with organisers working to complete the preparations ahead of the festival. The Lalbaugcha Raja replica has already arrived in Patna and will be installed at the venue.
Meenakshi Temple-Inspired Pandal Takes Shape
This year’s pandal at Maharashtra Mandal has been designed around the architectural style of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, giving the festival a distinctive visual theme.
The elaborate structure is expected to become one of the major attractions for devotees visiting the venue during the celebrations. Organisers are completing the remaining work as the festival approaches.
The choice of the Meenakshi Temple theme also adds a South Indian architectural element to Patna’s Ganesh Utsav celebrations.
Lalbaugcha Raja Replica To Be Installed
The other major attraction will be the replica of Lalbaugcha Raja, one of Mumbai’s best-known Ganesh idols.
The replica has already reached Patna and will be installed at Maharashtra Mandal. Organisers expect the idol to attract a large number of devotees during the festival.
With the combination of the Meenakshi Temple-inspired pandal and Lalbaugcha Raja replica, this year’s celebration is expected to offer devotees a different experience from previous editions.
Pran Pratishtha On September 14
The puja and Pran Pratishtha are scheduled for around 9:30 am on September 14.
Preparations are being carried out on a large scale as organisers anticipate a significant turnout of devotees. The venue is being readied to accommodate visitors during the festival and ensure that the celebrations proceed smoothly.
The organisers are also focusing on completing the decoration and other arrangements before the main ceremony.
Special Crown Among The Festival Highlights
The celebrations will also feature a special crown for the Ganesh idol.
According to organisers, a devotee had secretly donated a gold crown worth around Rs 35 lakh last year. This year, another crown reportedly worth around Rs 55 lakh has been brought for the celebrations.
The crown is described as being studded with gold, diamonds, emeralds and rubies, adding another major feature to this year’s festivities.
However, the central attractions of the celebration remain the Meenakshi Temple-inspired pandal and the Lalbaugcha Raja replica, around which the festival preparations are being organised.
Patna Prepares For Grand Ganesh Celebrations
With the pandal nearing completion and the Lalbaugcha Raja replica already in Patna, Maharashtra Mandal is entering the final phase of preparations.
The September 14 Pran Pratishtha will mark the formal beginning of the celebrations, with devotees expected to visit the venue in large numbers.
The combination of a Meenakshi Temple-inspired setting and Lalbaugcha Raja is set to give Patna’s Ganesh Utsav a distinctive character this year.
