Just like any other festival, the Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated in all pomp and colors in Baroda. Along with the royal Ganpati, idols of Ganpati are installed by almost every small “mandal”(community groups) of the city. Be it the royal Ganpati or a huge one installed in a temporary arrangement, or a small installed in someone’s house, each one of these bring with them a long period of celebration and happiness. Each idol is worshiped and offered every kind of sweetmeat for which the children wait tantalizingly until the end of the “Aarti”.
History :
Just like the rest of India, Baroda also received its inspiration of organizing this community festival from Lokmanya Tilak. This idea was inspired by Tilak to bring together the youth of the country to strengthen the Indian principles. This happened in Baroda, when Lokmanya Tilak visited the city to meet the Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. Here he learnt about Jumma Dada who actively promoted vyayam (excercise) and gave shelter to many revolutionaries in his akhada. After meeting with Tilak, Jumma Dada, started organizing Ganesh Festival at his Akhada (Jumma Dada Vyayam Mandir) in 1901, aged 107 years. During old times, many activities like Malkhamb, sword fights, wrestling were hosted during the festival in the Akhada.
Although the sword fights and wrestling programs have now stopped, the tradition of installing Ganpati idol continues which is made to resemble the one installed in the first celebration in 1901.
Royal Bappa :
The Lukshmi Vilas Palace hosts it’s own festival and every year the royal family welcomes the Bappa in all royal splendour. Just like every other royal thing, the idol is also made by selected people, namely the Chavan family.
From 84 years (since 1936), Chavan family has been making idols of Lord Ganesha for the Baroda Royals, the Gaekwads. It all started when Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III organised competition for the artists to decide who would make Ganeshji for Palace. Some pandits from Kashi were also called to select artists. Later, artist Krishnarao Chavan’s idol was selected & since then his family has been making the idol for royal family. Krishnarao Chavan were also awarded gold medal by Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III in 1936 as a token of appreciation for his skills.
From 1936 to 1939, the Ganesh idol was made in theme of Chandrasur Vadh, which in 1939 was changed to be more sacred & holy. During the same time, Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III passed away and Pratapsinhrao was crowned as the king. Keeping in mind the late Maharaja’s idea, Maharaja Pratapsinhrao called the saints from Kashi to Baroda & asked them to make a sketch of the new idol, which is followed even today.
On Akshay Tritiya, a “paatlo” (a small wooden platform on which Lord Ganesha is made) is sent to the Chavan studio (near Khanderao Market) where they first have a pooja which marks the beginning of the making of Lord Ganpati’s idol. The clay used for the same is specially brought from Bhavnagar and the idol is made to be about 3 feet high. After approximately two months, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, the idol is sent to the Rajmahal on a “palkhi” in a procession drowned in the beautiful tunes of shehnai, played by the royal band.
Once the idol arrives the palace, it is adorned with gold ornaments, followed by a pooja (sthapna). The last few days are kept open for the visitor’s darshan wherein the people of the city can come and see the royal Ganpati idol. Getting to visit the palace on this occasion is a delight for the eyes and people from all across the country come to offer their prayers to Lord Ganesha. Earlier, the Indumati Palace used to host the idol of Lord Ganesha but this tradition was later shifted to the Lukshmi Vilas Palace.
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Every year, The Maharaja Fatehsinhrao Museum organizes an idol making competition for children. Here the children, otherwise engaged in smartphones spend a day out in the open. They work with clay,and spend the day shaping the idol of their favorite god Ganesha from their imagination.
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The period of festivity that the Ganpati brings along with him is revered by all the people, who also dread the day they have to bid adieu to the Bappa. The 10 day festivity comes to an end with the immersion of the idol in water bodies where people say goodbye to bappa with a promise of welcoming him again next year.
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