One Ganesha, One Village
Much like Bengal’s Durga Puja when Bengalis bask in the glory of Ma Durga for over a week, decking up in their best attires, Ganesha Chaturthi for India, the Maharashtrians in particular is time to revel in the glory of Ganpati Bappa.
At a time when Ganpati Utsav has seen a transformation towards a clean and green one, Maharashtra’s Agroli village sets an example for all.
Navi Mumbai’s Agroli village is one where the entire village prays to one idol in keeping with the policy of One village One Ganpati.
The celebrations in this village this year turned 57 and it is being organized with great fanfare. The pandal this time propagates the mantra of togetherness along with peace and amity.
The village of over 100 families having one common puja helps protect environment as it reduces the number of idols to 1 from 100.
In olden days each family would bring home an idol which would only add to the environmental damage.
It was in 1961 when the concept of ‘One village one Ganpati’ was intorduced. It was Bhau Sakharam Patil’s brainchild and since then the celebration is being observed under the flagship of Agroli Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.
Sakharam Patil a leader of the salt workers sees to it that villagers contribute to the betterment of the environment in their own way
What started with the simple mission of saving money, has now turned into a major eco-friendly initiative. With Modi’s much talked about Swachh Bharat Mission this too is helping in realizing that goal.
Every family chips in with a sum of Rs. 500-700 and they participate in the prayers together. Celebrations go on for five days where local kids get a chance to showcase their talent as well.
Agroli is right next to the Belapur Railway station in Navi Mumbai. The annual fee has risen to Rs. 700, but for the last 57 years, the village has continued to host a single public Ganapati idol for 11 days.
Then a village of 300 residents, Agroli now has a voting population of 2,600.
The mandal, which once had just a tin shed, now enjoys a concrete hall to celebrate the grandeur of Ganesha.
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