Crowds, funds and competition: Why Mumbai's Ganpati idols keep getting taller
MUMBAI: In 2022, Malvani Mhada Cha Raja stood around 22-ft tall. The next year, it grew to 28 ft. Then came 32-33 ft. Last year, the idol towered 36 ft above visitors. The steady climb has not been by accident.
“This is nothing but a competition. If one mandal brings an idol, another wants to bring the same or something bigger,” said Mustakim Sayyed, a founding member of the mandal, adding internal politics within mandals also drives the trend.
“This is nothing but a competition. If one mandal brings an idol, another wants to bring the same or something bigger,” said Mustakim Sayyed, a founding member of the mandal, adding internal politics within mandals also drives the trend.
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