The orange flags outside the façade of an otherwise unassuming building in Dollis Hill, near Neasden in North West London, are the first indication that something special is taking place inside. As you approach, the familiar chants of Sukh Karta, Dukh Harta begin to draw you in. Welcome to Maharashtra Mandal London’s Ganesh Chaturthi festival – celebrated with the pomp and pageantry befitting one of India’s (and the diaspora’s) most beloved festivals. Step inside and you are welcomed by melodic chanting, women dressed in resplendent sarees, the sweet aroma of shrikhand wafting through the air and, above all, a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you arrive alone, with family and friends, it is difficult to feel like a stranger here among a crowd of around three hundred devotees. “The idea of a sarvajanik Ganeshotsav, which was started by the great Bal Gangadhar Tilak, was to bring communities together and unite people. We have had the same objective for so many years here also,” said Vrushal Khandke, a trustee of Maharashtra Mandal London (MML). It is an objective that appears to have endured. The festival brings together not only Maharashtrians, but people of all ages and members of different Indian communities from across the UK. Every year the pandal has a theme - this year's theme that you can see in the background is Ashtavinayak which means "eight Ganeshas" in Sanskrit and refers to a sacred pilgrimage circuit visiting eight distinct, self-manifested Lord Ganesha temples in the state of Maharashtra, India. “I hope this year Bappa brings luck to everyone, and that everybody stays happy and prosperous,” said Chinu Kishore, Secretary of the United Assam Association, UK (UAAUK). Jayashri Dandawate was leading the prayers and explained the deeper symbolism. She explained that the physical features of Ganesha carry spiritual meanings and valuable lessons for life. “Even just the name Ganapati means the leader of the ganas. He embodies the qualities of a leader, which can be seen in his eyes, ears and stature. The elephant represents generosity,” she explained. She was delighted that her explanation of the symbolism was resonating with devotees and visitors. So many of the MML volunteers are keen to preserve Indian culture and history.
History and future
Maharashtra Mandal London itself has a long history, dating back to 1932. It was established by politician and intellectual N. C. Kelkar during his visit to London for the historic Round Table Conference. Among those present at the inauguration tea party were Dr B. R. Ambedkar, Barrister Jaikar, Diwan Surve of Kolhapur, Dr Godbole and Dr Krishnarao Moreshwar Pardhy. The history of the Ganesh festival at Maharashtra Mandal London dates back to 1991. Sudhakar Khurjekar, the former President of Maharashtra Mandal London, was at the helm when the celebrations began. “When we started, there were barely 200 or so people. Now thousands attend every year,” he said. According to one estimate, the total footfall across the festival goes into the thousands every year. For Mr Khurjekar, however, it is not simply the scale of the event that makes it special. It is also about how it bridges generational interests. “Young people from our community don’t join many of our festivals because they are busy. The Ganesh festival is an exception. Truly, people of all ages and backgrounds come along to participate,” he said. Yugam Champaneri, a student, was among them. “The darshan was fabulous and mesmerising. This is our culture and young people should be proud of it,” he said. Then it was time to welcome one of the festival’s main guests – our very own publisher and editor of Asian Voice and Gujarat Samachar, CB Patel. CB was presented with an award as well as a replica of the Wagh Nakh, the traditional hand-held weapon from the Indian subcontinent shaped like a tiger’s claws. He reminisced about meetings that were once held at his residence for Maharashtra Mandal London. He then took the audience back several decades to a very different Maharashtra Mandal – in Dar es Salaam. “I went to Dar es Salaam’s Maharashtra Mandal in 1960 and I started speaking in Marathi. And people asked me to speak in Gujarati – because they couldn’t speak the language,” he quipped. There was no such lack of linguistic prowess at MML. Here, Marathi language and Maharashtrian culture, food, traditions and history continue to be preserved – bringing together generations and communities on special days like this one.