National Award-winning singer Hariharan joined the Ganeshotsav celebrations at Sakinakacha Maharaja as part of the Bombay Times Blockbuster series. The singer visited the pandal to seek Bappa’s blessings and participate in the aarti. To the delight of the devotees gathered there, Hariharan also took to the mic and sang the much-loved devotional song Sukhkarta Dukhharta.
‘I BEGIN ALL MY SHOWS WITH THE GANPATI SONG ‘VIGHNESHWARA’
Speaking about his visit, Hariharan said, “It was so beautiful to be here with Sakinakacha Ganpati and get photographed with Him. I came to know that they hold a record of being the tallest Ganpati at 43 feet, that’s around four floors!” For Hariharan, the festival also brought back memories of his childhood and his association with Bappa. “We bring home Bappa for three days and this year was extremely special because I was playing my own recently released aarti, and were all singing together. There is another Ganpati song ‘Vighneshwara’ that I love and I begin all my shows with this,” he said.
‘EVERY PUJA IN OUR HOME BEGAN WITH GANPATI PUJA’
Ganpati has been a part of Hariharan’s life since childhood. Recalling his early memories of the festival, he said, “During my student life I used to pray to Bappa. In our home also, every puja began with a Ganpati puja. I used to stay in Kamla Kunj in Matunga as a child and I remember watching Ganpati processions but since I was a kid, I was not allowed to join.” He also remembers the celebrations in his neighbourhood. “Next to my building was Ganesh Baug and they would have a big Ganpati and had skits, dramas, would show movies, give a different prasad every day. Those are wonderful memories of this special festival.”His connection with Bappa continued into his college years. “Next to Matunga station there used to be a tiny Ganesh Temple. As a collegiate, I’d take a train from Matunga station to VT and walk across the maidan to Government Law College. So every single morning I’d first say a hello to Ganpati Bappa.”
‘ARIA WAS SO UPSET AFTER THE VISARJAN’
This year, Ganeshotsav became particularly special for Hariharan as his twin grandchildren, one-and-a-half-year-old, experienced the festival for the first time. The little ones, he says, quickly formed an attachment to Bappa. “This year my twin grandkids, Aria and Ahaan experienced their first Ganpati and within just these three days they got very attached to Bappa. Aarya was so upset after the visarjan, ‘Where is Bappa, what did you do with him?’ So we had to tell her that Ganpati has gone home for a swim,” he said.For the singer, moments like these capture the enduring beauty of the festival. “This whole concept of Ganeshotsav is absolutely beautiful,” he said.
About Sakinakacha Maharaja
Established in 1985, Sakinakyacha Maharaja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has become one of Mumbai’s prominent Ganeshotsav attractions and is known for its towering Ganpati idol. This year, the over 40 feet idol was created on-site over several weeks and has received recognition as ‘Mumbai’s tallest Ganesh idol’. It has a regal Peshwai-inspired look, complete with a traditional pheta, sword and trishul.
