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VADODARA: One of the earliest public celebrations of Ganeshotsav was initiated by a 107-year-old Muslim wrestler some 120 years ago. Jumma Dada, a famed wrestler in the erstwhile princely state of Baroda, started Sarvajanik Ganesh Mahotsav at his akhada in 1901 to instil a sense of patriotism and brotherhood in the youth.
“Jumma Dada organised the public Ganesha festival to bring youngsters together and instil in them a sense of patriotism,” Rajendra Harpale, managing trustee of Prof Manekrao’s Jumma Dada Vyayam Mandir, told TOI.
City-based historian Chandrashekhar Patil said, “Jumma Dada was the first to organise a public Ganesha festival on a large scale to usher in communal harmony and unity among people. Before his initiative, some temples used to organise community Ganesha festivals. His disciple, Prof Manekrao, continued the tradition and it lives on.”
“Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had started the Sarvajanik Ganesh festival in Maharashtra. Tilak regularly visited Baroda to meet Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. During his visits, he learned about Jumma Dada. The 107-year-old was inspired by Tilak,” Harpale explained.
After their meeting, Jumma Dada started a public Ganesh festival at his Vyayam Mandir, which he had established in 1880, and was immensely popular with young boys and girls. Vyayam Mandir even gave shelter to freedom fighters during British rule.
He also set a tradition of installing a clay idol. “We have continued with the same looks and size of the idol till now,” said Harpale, who still has pamphlets of that era that mention how sword fights and wrestling were organised during the festival at the akhada.
“Jumma Dada organised the public Ganesha festival to bring youngsters together and instil in them a sense of patriotism,” Rajendra Harpale, managing trustee of Prof Manekrao’s Jumma Dada Vyayam Mandir, told TOI.
City-based historian Chandrashekhar Patil said, “Jumma Dada was the first to organise a public Ganesha festival on a large scale to usher in communal harmony and unity among people. Before his initiative, some temples used to organise community Ganesha festivals. His disciple, Prof Manekrao, continued the tradition and it lives on.”
“Freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak had started the Sarvajanik Ganesh festival in Maharashtra. Tilak regularly visited Baroda to meet Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. During his visits, he learned about Jumma Dada. The 107-year-old was inspired by Tilak,” Harpale explained.
After their meeting, Jumma Dada started a public Ganesh festival at his Vyayam Mandir, which he had established in 1880, and was immensely popular with young boys and girls. Vyayam Mandir even gave shelter to freedom fighters during British rule.
He also set a tradition of installing a clay idol. “We have continued with the same looks and size of the idol till now,” said Harpale, who still has pamphlets of that era that mention how sword fights and wrestling were organised during the festival at the akhada.
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