The former red-light district has 45 Ganesh mandals, some 80-100 years old, sprinkled across 16 cross lanes. Mumbai: A well-kept secret of Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav is the treasure trove of grand Ganpati idols located in Kamathipura in South Mumbai.
Anil Lakkabathini, who heads Mumbai Cha Ganadhyaksh of 10th Lane, explains that Kamathipura was named after the kamathis (labourers) from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh who migrated after 1795 and constructed Mumbai’s fabled structures like CSMT, BMC, Bombay High Court and Rajabai Tower. The 15-ft-tall Kamathipura Cha Krupalu of Lane 7 has been drawing crowds. Social media has high praise for Bappa Barfani of Lane 8 whose 33-ft Natraj-style Ganesh has five snakes wrapped around its body. Media in-charge Shriram Nair says the third generation helms the 72-year-old mandal.
Because of the old misconception, secretary Aatish Patil says, “Many people are reluctant to visit Kamathipura. But it is a very safe area. One can roam freely at night also. The commercial sex workers are unobtrusive — they even confine themselves indoors if police ask them to. “They are IAS officers, bankers and graphic artists. I am a doctor. Our mandal is trying hard to extricate CSWs from the world’s oldest profession. Twelve have succeeded within the past year. All women perform seva and contribute to Ganeshotsav by bringing modaks and naivedya plates. We instil awareness about sexual health, try to find them jobs, arrange health camps. But Kamathipura is an area no corporate would like to enter.”