New Delhi: The Ganpati celebrations from Monday onwards will bring together many stories at the pandals — those of India’s AI aspirations, its success with the BrahMos weapon system, and the effort of a six-year-old who saved money every month to contribute to the local festivities.As volunteers race to finish decorations and test music systems ahead of the celebrations, the city’s neighbourhoods are looking festive and residents are preparing to welcome Bappa with songs, dances and traditions from Maharashtra, where the festival is celebrated on a grand scale.At Ramesh Nagar, Pitampura, Dwarka, Laxmi Nagar and Mayur Vihar, the final preparations are under way at several pandals.At Shashi Garden in Mayur Vihar, 50 children are among the volunteers organising the puja that will enter its fifth year. The youngest participant is a six-year-old who has saved Rs 300 every month in a gullak, or piggy bank, to contribute to the puja. The puja’s organiser, Dalchand, said the celebrations are an inspiration from Chandanwadi Bappa in Maharashtra. “For the first time, we have also brought Ganpati from Maharashtra,” he said.At the Shree Ganesh Sewa Mandal at the DDA ground in Laxmi Nagar, the 25th anniversary celebrations will be held under the theme “Vighnaharta Se Vikaskarta Tak”, reflecting India’s ambition and its vision for 2047, said Mahendra Ladda, the 60-year-old founder of the mandal.He said the Lord Ganesh here will be seen holding a BrahMos missile in one hand, a semiconductor chip in another and a drone in the third, symbolising India’s achievements and aspirations. The jhanki will showcase the Vande Bharat train, several space science achievements, Digital India, AI, robotics and other technological advancements. About 4,000 people are expected at this pandal each day.Mandal president Anand Goel said: “We use a small, three-foot idol for puja and visarjan. The water is poured onto plants at the venue. We do not want to pollute the Yamuna. We encourage others to follow the same practice. We ask them to bring their Bappa here so that we can do it together.”The Shri Ganesh Seva Mandal in Laxmi Nagar will enter its silver jubilee year. At this puja, 52 women representing the 52 Shakti Peethas will lead a rainbow-themed Kalash Shobha Yatra.At Maharashtra Bhawan, the festival enters its 30th year. Organisers are preparing for cultural programmes in which performances by artistes from the state are expected. Food stalls serving Maharashtrian dishes and stalls selling traditional products will also come up.Khushboo Kumari said she was excited to experience the Ganpati celebrations in Delhi, having always seen the grand festivities in Mumbai on social media. “I have always seen how beautifully and energetically Mumbai celebrates Ganpati…. I will also go pandal hopping,” she said.
