MUMBAI: Minutes from the site where the Bhuleshwar Cha Raja idol collapsed Aug 22 killing two members, another Ganesh mandal has decided to set a stellar example. The 65-year-old Sutargalli 1 mandal near CP Tank will stop immersing its 40 ft tall Ganesh idol and reuse it the following year.“We always kept a plaster of paris (PoP) moorti. But in 2025, given changing immersion guidelines, we made a fibre idol which can be dismantled and folded for reuse. On Anant Chaturdashi we will perform symbolic visarjan with milk at Girgaum Chowpatty, and bring it back. Only our puja moorti will be immersed,” said general secretary Ajay Jadhav.The mandal president is Sudarshan Sangle, trustee of Siddhivinayak temple. The idol is dismantled, transported to his Karjat farmhouse and brought back a month before Ganeshotsav to be reassembled.Jadhav said, “We go to Girgaum Chowpatty in procession playing traditional instruments and bring the idol back in similar fashion.”Sutargalli has always been particular about immersion. “Even when we had a 40 ft PoP idol weighing five tonnes we would lead it on a float inside the sea and complete visarjan. Now our 500 karyakartas unanimously agreed to create a reusable fibre moorti. If you are installing Bappa for 10 days and spending Rs 15 lakhs, at least arrange a float costing Rs 15,000 to bid the lord a dignified farewell.”
