First Darshan: Lalbaugcha Raja returns to Mumbai

One of the oldest and most revered idol of Lord Ganesh, the Lalbaugcha Raja, was unveiled by the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganeshostav mandal in Mumbai on Friday, just days ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

Here is presenting a first look:

Lalbaugcha Raja is truly a King in all respects and it pays to seek his audience.

A mere glance of the deity which is labeled as mukh darshantakes about two-and-a-half-hours wait in the queue during weekdays and eight to nine hours during weekends.

Lakhs of people turn up from far-off places, including foreigners, and stand for hours in queues running into several kilometres only to get a 'darshan' of the idol.

This year, the Raja will be even more regal as the idol will be housed in a replica of the famous 'sheesh mahal' of Indore. It has been designed by Bollywood art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai, according to The Times of India.

For the devotees who go seeking the fulfillment of their prayers to the Lord, it is more arduous path, as it takes about six hours during the weekdays particularly during the initial days.

During weekends and after the fifth day, the devotees wait for as much as 25-30 hours in the queue.

During lean periods the queue is 2.5 km to 3 km long while during peak time it stretches to 10 km.

The ideal time to get a darshan by having to spend minimum time in the queue would be to reach Lalbaug by 3.30 am in the morning.

It takes several weeks to count the cash and make a itinerary of the donations made in kind such as gold and silver ornaments by unidentified devotees.

The King Lord is secular with a huge fan following among members of the other community.

The immersion procession, which passes through Byculla and other Muslim dominated areas of South Mumbai, attracts crowds in overwhelming numbers.

Interestingly, the procession of the Lalbaugcha Raja halts in front of the Chisti Hindustani Masjid at Byculla.