Andheri to be partially shut for Andheri Cha Raja’s 20 hour visarjan yatra

While the rest of the city bid farewell to lord Ganesh last week, one of city’s oldest and revered idols – Andheri Cha Raja – will be taken for immersion today.

By the 11th day, or Anant Chaturdashi, all Ganesh idols are immersed. However for 50 years now, Andheri Cha Raja has been the last idol to be taken for ‘visarjan’ on the day of Sankashthi Chaturthi.

The 20 hour long visarjan yatra of the idol, with countless devotees, will begin from the mandal at Veera Desai Road in Azad Nagar, Andheri West at 5 pm today.

The procession will proceed along the route from Azad Nagar II, Veera Desai Road, J P Road Amboli, S V Road, Andheri Market, Navrang Cinema, Sony Mony, Apna Bazar, Indian Oil Nagar Junction, Four Bungalows, Seven Bungalows, Versova Bus Depot and culminate at Versova village.

During the yatra, which is expected to last till Tuesday afternoon, Andheri West will witness a partial shutdown. Hundreds of traffic officials will be stationed in the western suburb to facilitate the journey.

In its 51st year now, Andheri Cha Raja has witnessed a steady rise in the number of devotees coming to seek blessings from the lord each year. The iconic idol is adorned with 65 kg silver, including ornamental hands and feet, along with a 3.5 kg crown worth Rs 1.25 crore.

The organizers also envisage a new theme every year for the mandal setup, with this year’s based on the Kunkeshwar temple. The set included 22 pillars, the Nandi bull, a gigantic oil lamp and vignettes of Ashtavinayak and lord Vishnu’s ten avatars.