‘Whatever I Have Achieved, Ganpati Bappa’s Blessings Have Brought Me This Far’: Minister Ashish Shelar

Ashish Shelar, a minister born in Kumbhar Chawl at Saat Rasta, fondly recalls watching Ganpati Bappa welcomed into homes during Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav celebrations in Lalbaug. When the minister moved to Bandra, he aimed to replicate the spirit of his childhood in Girangaon, where he experienced the grand festivities. His ancestors' ancestral home in Guramwadi, Malvan, welcomed Ganpati every year, but the festival in Konkan was not as prominent as in Bandra.

The minister's maternal grandparents were from Lalbaug, making Chintamani Ganpati special to his maternal lineage. The immersion processions that passed right in front of his balcony since childhood left an indelible mark on his memory. Best childhood memory: One of the most cherished memories was witnessing the towering idols passing in front of their chawl during the immersion processions and competing with neighbors for the best viewing spot.

Adopting Sarvajanik Mandal Ganpati: The relocation to Bandra West inspired the minister to bring back the essence of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav. The small-scale celebration in Bandra West sparked his idea to recreate India's rich cultural heritage through temple replicas. The tradition of recreating various temples, including the Tilak Wada in Ratnagiri and the Somnath Temple, has been a part of the Bandra West Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal for over 30 years.

Miracle of faith: Despite the minister's simple upbringing, he attributes his achievements to Ganpati Bappa's blessings.