The affection for Ganpati Bappa is limitless. For the very first instance, a 16-foot statue has been transported from Mumbai to Toronto, Canada, for the planned Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav festivities. Referred to as Canadacha Raja, this statue is being dispatched to the event organizers, Blue Peacock Entertainment, who are orchestrating the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav in Toronto. Their intention is to mark the celebration on a significant level this year, with assistance from municipal authorities.
Situated in Lalbaug, across from One Avighna Park, stands Kalasagar Arts, directed by Nikhil Khatu, aged 27, who has made history as the pioneer sculptor shipping a Ganesh statue to Toronto. Kalasagar Arts is recognized for crafting notable Sarvajanik Ganpati figures, including Andhericha Raja and Fortcha Raja. Khatu noted that sculptures usually ranging up to four or six feet were exported overseas, but this marks the inaugural occasion of dispatching a statue of such towering stature. The statue will be immersed in an artificial pond, rather than a natural water source. A spacious 20×20 feet artificial pond is being set up, where a mixture of water and sodium bicarbonate will dissolve the plaster of paris (POP) statue. Khatu described the theme as portraying a king’s posture with a royal sitting, resembling Lalbaugcha Raja. “Canada is home to numerous Hindus, and although some household murtis are brought, this will be the first time a grand Sarvajanik celebration of this magnitude will take place,” Khatu expressed.