Bal Thackeray gifts rudraksh necklace to Ganesh Galli idol

The mandal received the news on Sunday evening and the necklace was sent to the mandal's office from Matoshree yesterday evening and it was placed on the idol.

First view: The idol at Ganesh Galli, Lalbaug. Pic/Sayed Sameer Abedi

According to the mandal, Thackeray was given the necklace by a Shiv Sena follower in Nepal after performing certain rituals at Pashupatinath temple.

Meanwhile the Shiv Sena spokesperson confirmed that the necklace was handed over to the mandal, which is making a replica of the Pashupatinath temple this year and are privileged to receive Thackeray's offering.

Neelam Gore, Shiv Sena spokesperson, said, "I was also invited for the ceremony where the mandal was going to place the necklace on the idol. Balasaheb Thackeray wanted to give the necklace to this mandal, as he has an emotional attachment to it and feels that giving it to one idol means it has reached the Lord. Also, one of the reasons behind giving it to Ganesh Galli is because they are making a replica of Pashupatinath and the necklace is from there originally."

Swapnil Parab, mandal secretary, said, "We are very lucky to have the necklace with our mandal, especially as it was sent by Balasaheb Thackeray. It gives us immense pride to have the necklace, as he could have given it to any mandal in the city."

City's insurance cover
The Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav mandal has insured all devotees of Mumbai for the 11-day festival period for Rs 15 crore with United Insurance India Company yesterday. Any person drowning during the immersion activities or mishaps at any mandal in the city will be covered by this policy. In case of death, Rs 2 lakh will be provided as compensation. Lalbaugcha Raja has already begun witnessing crowds queuing up to get a first glimpse. The darshan would start at 6.00 am tomorrow.u00a0