Mumbai: Silver Ganpati is a very prestigious Ganpati in Nashik, Maharashtra. There is a 93-year-old Ganpati temple in Ravivar Karanja market area here. A silver idol was installed in this temple in 1978. After this, Lokmanya Tilak gave Ganeshotsav a public form, in which Ravivar Karanja Mandal had an active participation. Since devotees believe that this Ganpati reaches Navsala, this temple is crowded with devotees throughout the year.
Nashik is known as a spiritual city. Since Nashik has the heritage of the holy Godavari river, Simhastha Kumbh Mela is held here every twelve years. Also, there are more than two thousand small and big temples in Nashik city, many of which are ancient. Also, after Pune and Mumbai, public Ganesh festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Nashik city only. One of these mandals is Ravivar Karanja Mitra Mandal, this mandal is from the British era and there is a Ganpati temple in this area for 93 years.
A public Ganesha was established in 1918 in Ganga Prasad Halwai’s shop in Ravivar Karanja area, but in 1978 a Ganesh temple was built in the same area and a silver idol was installed here. Lokmanya Tilak gave Ganeshotsav a public form. Ravivar Karanja Mitra Mandal also played an active role in this.
Installation of silver idol in 1978
Ravivar Karanja Mitra Mandal decided to install a silver Ganesha idol in the temple in 1978. After this, the traders and devotees of Ravivar Karanja market together adopted the idea of making a silver Ganesha and with the cooperation of everyone, the silver idol was actually made. After this, the silver Ganesha of Ravivar Karanja Mitra Mandal became the center of attraction for the people of Nashik. Currently there are 201 kg silver Ganesha idols, 50 kg and 2 kg gold Ganesha ornaments.
This idol has special significance in the eyes of Ganesh devotees and devotees believe that this Ganpati reaches Navsala.
Social activities
Rohan Pawar, festival committee chief of Sunday Karanja Mitra Mandal, said that every year during Ganeshotsav, Lavivar Karanja Mitra Mandal organizes a grand tableau in front of the Ganpati temple. Devotees from all over the district come to see this tableau. Along with this, various religious programs are also organized by the Mandal throughout the year. Along with this, through social activities, free books are distributed to needy students and food is donated to the poor.
