Bhopal Ke Raja Turns 80 As Ganesh Utsav Begins; Dagdusheth Replica, Simhastha-Themed Pandals Await Devotees

In Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, the Bhopal Ke Raja, a revered figure akin to India's independence, has celebrated his 80th birthday this year. The Shri Dol Gyaras Samiti has been installing Lord Ganesha's idol, affectionately called Bhopal Ke Raja, at Peepal Chowk in the Old City since 1947. Founders Brijbhushan Goyal, Uddhavdas Mehta, and Mohanlal Simhal initiated the tradition that continues to this day, with the third and fourth generations of the original members now managing the festivities.

Deepak Goyal, the Samiti's patron, revealed that the public celebration of festivals was not permitted during the city's Nawab rule, leading to the idol's installation in a shop during 1947 and 1948. Since 1949, the Samiti has been celebrating Ganesh Utsav openly. Alongside Lord Ganesha, goddesses Riddhi-Siddhi and Ganesha's sons Shubh-Labh are installed at Peepal Chowk.

The idol adorns fresh flowers daily and receives the Chappan Bhog as prasad. For this year's event, the Samiti is budgeting around Rs 15 lakh. Hundreds of pandals will open their doors to devotees on the first day of the 10-day Ganesha Utsav, with a 13-foot Ganesha idol, a replica of Pune's Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple, and other unique installations like a 17-foot Ganesha at Mata Mandir and a 12-foot idol of Ganesha on a Nandi in Somwara.