Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala(Welcome Ceremony) is one such event which is attended by thousands of people living in and around Mumbai every year!
Last year, it was the 100th year of Chinchpoklicha chintamani and I was part of the humongous Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala!
History of Chinchpoklicha Chintamani
Year 1920, Independence was the only dream of that generation. Inspired by the idea of Lokmanya Tilak – The father of the Indian unrest, Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal was established as the second Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal in Mumbai.
Since it’s inception, the Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal has been carrying out various social, educational, healthcare and traditional activities for the welfare of the society at large.
Politicians like the former PM of India – Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee, former CM of Maharashtra – Shri Sharad Pawar, MNS Chief Raj Thackeray and many others have visited Chinchpoklicha Chintamani.
In the year 2011, Chinchpoklicha Chintamani won the Mumbaicha Raja Award in Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Contest.
Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal went through lot of struggle but their faith in Chintamani has not shrinked a bit even after 100 years!
Who makes the Idol of Chinchpoklicha Chintamani?
For lot of years, the famous Murtikar Shri. Tukaram Dinanath Veling with his artistic knowledge sculpted the famous Chintamani.
This work was then taken over by prominent and renowned sculpture maker – Shri Vijay Khatu.
Shri Vijay Khatu made various sculptures of Chintamani for at least 25 years and his sudden demise was a huge loss for Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal. This responsibility of sculpting the Chintamani has been now undertaken by his daughter Reshma Khatu.
In the year 1920, the height of the Murti was just 2-3 Feet but now the Chitamani is about 23 Feet High!
My Experience at Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala
To be very honest with you, I was not aware of Chinchpoklicha Chintamani until 2016.
I had never visited this part of Mumbai during the Ganesh Chaturti Festival.
The first time I saw the Chintamani was on a Youtube video which was about the Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala and I was the just astonished to see thousands of people dancing and celebrating! And this intrigued me!
In 2017, I went to Chinchpokli and took blessings of the Chintamani.
From Mumbaicha Raja to Lower Parel cha Laadka, I visited several famous Ganpati Mandals that year.
Year 2019 was the 100th Year of Chinchpoklicha Chintamani and I wanted to be a part of the Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala!
I remember it was Sunday, I was super-excited and also bit nervous because I knew that thousands of people would be a part of the Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala.
With my Go Pro Hero 5 and Nikon B500 I left my house and boarded a local train to Lower Parel.
To my amusement, majority of the travelers were headings towards Lower Parel just to be a part of the Aagman Sohala!
People were chanting slogans like “Ganpati Bappa Morya” and “Chintamanicha Vijay Aso” on every Station! right from Goregaon till Lower Parel! That was the craze of Chinchpoklicha Chintamani.
Finally I got down at Lower Parel Railway station and started walking towards Ganesh Galli (Home to various famous Ganpati Pandals).
The excitement was in the air and after walking for certain distance I got my first Glimpse of the iconic Chinchpoklicha Chintamani.
But getting a glimpse of Chintamani was not that easy. Around 1 Lakh People were present during the Aagman Sohala! There was no space to breath! Forget breathing, there was no space to walk! Such was the Craze and affection towards Chinchpoklicha Chintamani.
There were hundreds of volunteers and the police force as well but managing such a humongous crowd was not a piece of cake for them.
Chintamani Aagman Sohala, Lalbaug beats and the humongous crowd, the atmosphere was just electrifying!
There was also a time where I was struggling to hold my ground. I was constantly hustled and pushed by the crowd.
Being in the middle of such a humongous crowd, protecting myself and my cameras was very challenging and difficult!
Watch the above video to see what was it like last year during the 2019 Aagman Sohala.
In-spite of so many difficulties and challenges, I was just thrilled to be part of the Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala.
The sheer affection and faith draws Lakhs of devotees during the Aagman Sohala and also during the 10 Day Ganpati Festival every year.
Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala 2020.
Unfortunately, this year due to the pandemic, the Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal has decided to cancel its tradition of Agaman Sohla.
The organizers have also decided that the Chintamani Murti will be made inside its Mandap.
Only office bearers and executive members will be allowed during the Patpujan Ceremony this year.
This year’s Ganesh Chaturti Festival won’t be like every year due to the pandemic.
If things get normal by next year, I will be surely going to the Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Aagman Sohala.
Hey! if you have been to the aagman sohala just like me, share your experience in the comment section below. I would be happy to read.
