10 Famous Ganpati Pandals in Mumbai City that attraction of Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
Mumbai’s most awaited and favourite festival of the year is here. For the next 10 days, the city that never sleeps will hear chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ from every lane as every Pandal or Mandal will put up their best show to celebrate the homecoming of the Ganesha. Months of work by artists, sculptors, volunteers, and vendors will take the shape of larger-than-life idols and vibrant celebrations. Adding to the festive air that grips the city during Ganeshotsav. If you are planning to go pandal-hopping, check out the themes and decorations at 10 of the most famous Ganpati pandals in Mumbai City.
The queues will be long and the crowds large, but it’s for our Ganpati Bappa.
- Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug
One of the most visited pandals during the festival, Lalbaugcha Raja is considered to be a Ganpati who fulfils wishes, and the devotees at times end up waiting for more than 24 hours in the queue. “Our priority is to ensure that all the devotees can take the darshan properly, which is why we have put in efforts to ensure that water, food, and toilets are readily available to them,” said Balaseheb Kamble, President of the Mandal.
In 1932, vendors of Peru Chawl had vowed that they would put up a Ganpati pandal if their shops were returned to them. After sustained efforts by local leaders and residents, the landlord provided a permanent marketplace to them, which is the present-day Lalbaug market.
- Location: Lalbaug market, GD Goenka Road, Lalbaug
- Nearest Railway Station: Western line: Lower Parel, Harbour line: Cotton Green, Central line: Currey Road/ Chinchpokli
- Best time to visit: Anytime during the day
- Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli
Also known as ‘Mumbaicha Raja’ The oldest Mandal in Lalbaug has started its countdown for its centenary celebrations. They are doing so by paying an ode to Dinanath Velling, the sculptor who created their idols in the early years of the festival. Velling was the mentor of Vijay Khatu who recently passed away, with his daughter continuing the tradition. Replicas of Velling’s creations are now being made in the Khatu workshop.
- Location: Ganesh Galli, Lalbaug
- Nearest Railway Station: Western line: Lower Parel, Central line: Currey Road, Harbour Line: Sewri
- Best time to visit: Anytime during the day
- Keshavji Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaum
The oldest Mandal in the city had played host to Lokmanya Tilak. As they celebrate their 125th year, they have made a replica of Ganpatipule Temple, Ratnagiri. The pandal will be inaugurated on Friday by Arundhati Bhattacharya, chairman, of State Bank of India.
“Tilak has always been an inspiration for all of us, and we are glad that we are carrying forward his legacy,” said Vinod Satpute, trustee.
- Location: Keshavji Naik Chawl, Girgaum
- Nearest Railway Station: Western line: Charni Road
- Best time to visit: Anytime during the day
- Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, Chinchpokali
Famous as Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, the 18-feet Ganesh idol was made by the late Vijay Khatu every year. The pandal this year has been made to look like Mahishmati Darbar, from the blockbuster fantasy film Baahubali. “This is the last idol made by Khatu. He had a dream that he would make a special Ganpati for our 100th year, however, he didn’t live to fulfil that,” said Sandeep Parab, spokesperson of the Mandal.
Every year the Mandal spends 60% of the money collected on social service initiatives throughout the year, which include helping Adivasis and running a nursery and a library.
- Location: Dattaram Lad Marg, Outside Chinchpokli station
- Nearest Railway Station: Chinchpokli station
- Best time to visit: 10AM to 5PM
- Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, Andheri
Andhericha Raja is one of the pandals in suburbs that are visited by celebrities. A replica of one of the Ashtavinayak temples, designed by Ananta Shinde and Dharmesh Shah, is the theme this year. The idol of Andhericha Raja looks the same every year and wears a 3.1 kg crown, which was made using gold donations received from 3,000 Mumbaiites on its 50th anniversary.
“The devotees will feel as if they have visited Balleshwar temple from Pali, Raigad when they visit us,” said Subodh Chitnis, treasurer.
- Location: Veera Desai Road, Azad Nagar, Andheri (West)
- Nearest Railway Station: Andheri
- Best time to visit: 5 AM to 12 PM – this is when everyone is at work and you will be able to avoid crowds.
- Rules: Organisers have a dress code- clothes above knee-length will not be allowed.
- Goud Saraswat Brahmin Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, King’s Circle GSB
King Circle is known for its gold Ganesha and has always believed in eco-friendly celebrations. The Mandal is known for its traditional celebrations and would perform poojas the religious way, by allowing devotees to participate in the religious activities only when they wear specific clothes. The Mandal expects around 75,000 poojas to be conducted this year in five days.
“The pandal will be under surveillance of 48 CCTV cameras 24X7,” said Satish Nayak, a trustee.
- Location: GSB Sports Club Ground, Near SNDT Women’s College, King’s Circle, Matunga
- Nearest Railway Station: Harbour line: King’s Circle, Central and Western line: Matunga
- Best time to visit: 6 AM to 11 PM
- Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Circle, Fort
Another pandal known for its grand decoration is Fortcha Icchapurti; they usually make replicas of various palaces. While last year, a large 40-feet elephant gate was made, In this year a replica of Bikaner Palace with marble effects is in store for the devotees, made by a team led by art director Anant Savant. Also, trying to ensure that they do their bit for their environment, the structures will be made of reusable fiber.
“When it comes to security, we are very vigilant, and we do not even let the vehicles of our volunteers be parked near the pandal,” said Rupesh Surve, secretary.
- Location: Near CSMT
- Nearest Railway Station: Western line: Churchgate, Central line: CSMT ( Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus)
- Best time to visit: Anytime during the day.
- Tejukayacha Raja, Lalbagh
After having darshan of Lalbaghcha Raja and Ganesh Gallicha Raja, Ganesh devotees go for darshan of Ganesha in Tejukaya Mansion. Devotees throng to see the attractive idol of Tejukaya, and the surrounding scenery. A 21-feet tall Ganesha idol with an elephant-like trunk and ears and Lambodara is the hallmark of this mandal. So if you are going to see Ganapati at Tejukaya Mansion this year, know the address.
- Location: Tejukaya Mansion, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Ganesh Galli, Lalbagh
- Nearest Railway Station: Central line: Curry Road, Chinchpokli
- Best time to visit: Between Morning to midnight
- Khetwadicha Raja, Khetwadi’s Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
Better known as Khetwadicha Raja, the pandal has won many awards for best Mandal and best idol. This 15-feet high idol is usually adorned with diamonds. This year to give a different effect, the trunk of Ganpati has been adorned with diamonds too.
“We aim to ensure that all the devotees get a chance to touch the feet of Bappa, which is, we ask them not to rush. We rather appreciate it if they could sit and enjoy the temple kind of ambiance,” said Shankar Harale, secretary of the Mandal.
- Location: 12th Lane Khetwadi, Girgaum
- Nearest Railway Station: Western line: Charni Road, Central line: Sandhurst Road
- Best time to visit: Anytime during the day
- Parelcha Raja, Nare Park, Parel (East)
In a Girangaon (Mill village) like Parel, an organization run by ordinary mill workers, ‘Parel Division Public Ganeshotsav Mandal, Narepark, Parelcha Raja’ is celebrating its 77th year this year. For the last 75 years (till the Amrit year) it is important to run the organization with a stiff neck and maintain its status.
But in today’s era of competition, it is very valuable to run Ganeshotsav Mandal cooperatively. So the activists are determined to take a leap towards Mandal century by keeping this work. In the year 1947, Ganeshotsav Mandal started Ganapati Utsav.
- Location: Bhivaji Rao Nare Udyan, Nare Park, Parel (East)
- Nearest Railway Station: Central Line: Parel, Western Line: Prabhadevi
- Best time to visit: Anytime in the day
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