Walking Around Matunga

Ganpati Bappa Morya Pudchya Varshi Lavkar Ya…..

With the 11 days of Ganesh Festivities coming to a close on Anant Chaturdashi , its time to bid adieu to lord Ganesh or Bappa as his reffered by his devotees. There is a feeling of mixed emotions , a sense of sadness as the Bappa departs for his abode in the heaven and feeling of hope that he will once again visit this earth next year. Till then he will always reside in our hearts and minds in his most appealing form of Lambodar , the portly elephant headed god. He is most loved by the children (grants them 5-7 days of holiday from school ) the young ( grants them freedom to go out late in groups have fun and dance to DJ music during processions) and the old (grants them mental peace and a few days of stress free life) all this encapsulated in his kind gaze and loving demeanor. As right written in the Puranas , a true Vighna harta ,the remover of obstacles.

Matunga is the palce to be if you are a true  Ganesh Bhakt . During Anant Chaturdashi the last day when processions are taken out for Ganesh Murthi Immersion (Visarjan), this is the place to be. The whole of Dr.Ambedkar Road is caurdoned off vehicular traffic and special arrangements are made for the Miravnuk’s (procession). Just after 2.30 pm the traffic flow is changed and made to travel in reverse direction so that the tempos and trucks carrying the Bappa can smoothly access the Tilak bridge to go to Shivaji Park Chowpati for the immersion. The first Ganpati that goes by is the Duke’s Ganpati form Chembur. This large idol installed at the Dukes Factory (if you remember the real mango juice based beverage Mangola ) rushes through the main road right in front of our home.

Next in line come the Ganesh Mandals from Chembur and as far as Mankhurd. Some in small tempos some on top or Trucks. The decoration has to be seen to be believed. The road in front of our home is transformed into a mela. You will find stree vendors selling Mumbai’s famous fast food “Vada Pav” and Bhajji Pav. Served hot and crispy alongwith spicy garlic chutney. Then there are the chat stalls near Bakul Mansion the building at the coner of the lane leading to Matunga Railway station. Here you will get the juiciest and succulent Pani Puri’s and best ever sev puri with mint chutney and gila bhel with sweet and tangy imly chutney. Just next doors you have the merry-go-round , giant wheel and flying boat operators providing a thrilling time to the children who tag along to their parents to watch the Ganapati visarjan procession. Small street vendors sell plastic toys , dolls , kitchen sets , kiddie mobiles , cameras , trains, cars ,Disney character masks et all. All for a measely sum of Rs.10-30 but giving immense happiness to the children. I still remember during my childhood we would take a pocket money of Rs.20-50 and spend on these goodies to our hearts content. A special purchase would be the Aapti bar or the small fire cracker wrapped in silver or golden paper , which when thrown on the ground with force gives out a small bang. A paisa vasool item. Some of us would spend the money of the pipri -plastic or card board based sound emanating kids bugle. “Blowing once own trumpet” would take an altogether different meaning.

The Ganesh Miravnuk not to be missed is the tradition procession taken out by the Ruia College students for the Vidyarthyancha Raja. The process starts around 7.30 pm with tradition Nasik Dhol and tasha band specially flown in from Nashik or Pune. Last year they had all female band drumming away on the Dhol and tasha with such vigour and in rhythm even the male onlookers would feel awed by their enthusiasm. Their energy so contagious that unmindful of the surrounding you are sure to start tapping your feet and dancing on the spot. The miravnuk starts at the pandal and winds down to the Ruia Signal of the main road. In between all that drumming , the students light up crackers on the road. This procession is sometimes attended by ex-students like Sanjay Narvekar (Dedh Phutiya of Vaastav fame).The miravnuk’s grand finale is the sky show of crackers (rockets). What a great way to bid adieu to the Bappa.

At the same time on the main road you can see the Raj Kapoor’s Ganpati with its traditional decoration of Ganga flowing from Shivji’s jatta (hair) and Ganesh ji siting on his lap in the front . The sevadars on the truck spraying water on the crowds gathered on the sides of the roads. A little fun while moving towards chowpatty.

The whole area is filled with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya , pudchya varshi lavkar ya. Sounds of dhols , tutari and lezhim in traditional miravnuk. Or the ear blaring Bollywood songs played by would DJ’s from huge speakers mounted on separate trucks. Groups of young boys and girls dancing in the front.

Just as the darkness sets in you can see the most beautiful sights with Ganapati’s big and small mounted on trucks decorated with colourful lights and spreading the glow. As children we used to run towards these trucks to get a closer look at the Bappa and collect the Prasad. We used to fill our hungry tummies with sakhar phutana’s , boiled channa , pedhas , Lhaya’s (puffed rice) and sometimes sev bundi and sweet moong khichadi.

The procession continues well into the night even past mid night. Only the sounds and music systems curbed by the traffic cops. The Ganesh idols looking serene in the soft glow of the lights.

You wipe the tears in your eyes and with a heavy heart but with a hope in your mind that Bappa will be back next year you trudge back home……

Sometimes if you look up in the sky I feel Bappa would also be wiping his eyes and saying “Ho nakki” when a shout of “Pudhchya Varshi Laykar ya goes up “.