Khotachiwadi’s Ganesh mandal in Girgaum is marking its centenary this season with significant historical importance
A cluster of 30 odd buildings and bungalows in Khotachiwadi patronise the mandal. Santosh Mogre, mandal president since 25 years, says, “Our biggest achievement is that we are able to uphold the legacy of our forefathers who founded this mandal.
In its heyday Sane Guruji is said to have visited. Minister Aditi Tatkare came and stood transfixed by its beauty,” Mogre said. You will not find our idol abandoned on the sand,” says the president.
Members still sing Vande Mataram as they mount the idol upon its trolley for visarjan. They have sacrificed a lot to establish this mandal in the pre-Independence period. It was very difficult to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in those times. “This is our puja moorti also. We have always kept only one idol. “Our mandal is mindful to perform proper visarjan.