History
Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Manikpur is the first Mandal to be established of its kind in Vasai, with the aim of bringing together Hindu community around 1960. As Hindus formed a minor part of Community, then, in Vasai, it was a great challenge to bring them together for social or relious cause. Few people came ahead with the idea, based on Lokmanya Tilak's method to organize social events to bring people together by celebrating Sarvajanik Ganesh Chaturthi.
As the idea of starting Ganeshotsav began taking roots, there was a challenge to get a suitable location to organize the event. For the first time, Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav was held at the Terrace of Mr. Walinjkar's Bunglow who was one of the founders. This time it was celebrated for One and half Day. As years passed by, the problem of finding a place always prevailed but due to strong will-power, the event was celebrated at whatever location was available like Dr. Wakankar's house, Marathi School Compound, Mankar Wada etc. Finally, with the efforts of Mendal a permanant solution was found to this problem and since then the Event is celebrated at Samaj Unnati Mandal Hall, Manikpur.
The Mandal was founded with the aim of bringing the community together, but in the beginning participation in the event from the community was negligible and the celebration mostly involved with the members and families of the Mandal. Hence to bring more and more people together, Mandal started with certain social and religious events like Bhajan, Kirtan, Musical Concerts, Dramas by locals etc. This attracted viewers and led to their participation in the Mandal's activities.
The Mandal Grew and constitution was finanlized in 1966 and the Mandal starting working in more organized manner.
The other Problems that Mandal faced included lack of funds for the working and organizing the events. Natarual Calamities like heavy rains also created difficulties in organizing the events. Other problem was lack of unity within hindu community. With all the people striving for the same goal, all problems were tackled easily and a Tree of Mandal has flurished from the seeds sown by its founders.
*Note: The above information is not documented anywhere by the Mandal but heard from its senior members. If any information is missing or incorrect please inform us regarding the same
