2006-Sep-2 - How Ganpati saves farmers' money
Ganesh Utsav is a time when big money is spent on the nine-day celebrations and festivities But in this time of plenty, one small village in Navi Mumbai has decided to go a little more economic.
Nestled deep in Belapur sitrict of Maharashtra, Agroli is a part of a developing city of Navi Mumbai and a modern village of sorts.
But it reveals a constant in these times of change - celebrating the Ganesh Utsav collectively, by installing just one idol of the deity in the village.
This unique way of going economoic was an idea mooted by Bhaurao Patil, the then village head in 1961.
The concept received overwhelming support back in those traditional times and continues to be followed religiously 46 years hence.
"In those days everyone came together and collected Rs five to celebrate this festival. The objective was to spend minimum amount and we still follow it," says President of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Namdeo Bhau Patil.
A land of farmers who go neck-deep in debt in times of crises have taken very well to this revolutionary tradition of `One Village, One Ganapati' that saves them a lot of money too.
"The villagers including women gather in large numbers twice daily for the aarti. There are several cultural programmes as well," says villager Sumitra Ashok Patil
The budget remains rather simple. Rs 301 is collected from each house in the village, while Rs 401 is collected from the business community.
Total collection adds up to nearly Rs 50,000 and the idol is always around five-feet high, unlike its ostentatious city-cousins.
This idol despite not being bedecked in expensive clothes and jewelry sure bears the stamp of simplicity.
| 
| 
