Janhvi Kapoor’s beau Shikhar Pahariya bids adieu to Lalbaugcha Raja
Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor’s boyfriend, Shikhar Pahariya, is feeling the post-Ganesh Chaturthi blues, just like countless Mumbaikars. As the city’s vibrant 10-day festival wrapped up, Pahariya took to Instagram to share his emotions and stunning visuals from the immersion ceremony of the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja.
His Instagram post featured a series of photos that captured the spirit of the occasion. One picture shows Pahariya standing reverently next to the magnificent idol, while others showcase the grand deity in all its glory and the final visarjan journey at the beach.
Along with the photos, he penned a heartfelt note in his caption, writing, “Victory to Lalbaugcha Raja! Ganapati Bappa Moraya .. Come soon next year. The city of dreams bows to the remover of obstacles.”
For those unfamiliar, the Lalbaugcha Raja is not just any Ganesha idol; it’s a legendary symbol of Mumbai’s culture. The story behind its establishment is a fascinating part of the city’s history. The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was founded way back in 1934 by the local fishing community, the Koli people.
The mandal was created after a vow made by fishermen and vendors. Their old market at Peru Chawl had been shut down in 1932, and they prayed to Lord Ganesha for a permanent place to sell their goods. Their prayers were answered when a landlord dedicated a plot for what is now the Lalbaug Market. In gratitude, they established the Ganesha idol on September 12, 1934.
Today, this beloved Ganesh idol celebrates over 90 years of history. It’s so significant that in 2020, for the first time in 86 years, the festivities were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the mandal focused its efforts on raising crucial awareness about the virus.
As one of Mumbai’s most important cultural landmarks, the Lalbaugcha Raja draws over a million devotees every single day during the 11-day festival, making it a truly unmissable spectacle.
On the work front, his girlfriend Janhvi Kapoor is gearing up for her next big Bollywood release, ‘Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari’, where she will star opposite Varun Dhawan.
