Ganpati, Ganesha, Gajraj, Ganraya whatever the name you
know, come August September every year and the Lord is star of the people in
Mumbai.
Vignaharta as the lord is called – The Vanquisher of
obstacles. The quite busy city of Mumbai quickly gets into preparation for
welcoming its ‘Ladkya Bappa’ as they call.
The 10 day long Ganesha Festival is the best time of the
year to be in Mumbai experience the zeal and fervor of people. It symbolizes
the unity, energy and festivity of the city. People from all sections of the
society come and celebrate the festival of their favorite lord. While you
celebrate this festival, you surely can’t miss this Mandals.
1. Lalbaug cha Raja
The iconic, most visited & the most
Popular Ganpati of Mumbai Lalbaugcha Raja is famous as its considered as wish
fulfilling Ganesha – ‘Navsacha Ganpati’
It is managed by ‘Lalbaugcha Raja
Sarvajanik Ganesha Mandal’ started in 1934 by Kolis (fishermen) is celebrating
its 82nd year. A Palace of mirror – Sheesh Mahal was designed by art
director Nitin Desai this year.
I took about 4 hours on day 1 to take the
Mukha darshan. Although this year the Mandal had narrowed the barricading for
line on the footpath due to which I thought there was huge rush on day 1.
2. Mumbai cha Raja Ganesha Galli
Just next to Lalbaug cha Raja is the famous
Ganeshagalli Ganpati –Mumbaicha Raja known to be one of the best among tallest
idols of Mumbai. Mumbai cha Raja 2015 of 22 ft is placed in beautiful Mandal
which has been built as a replica of Gujarat’s Bajrangbali Temple.
The ‘Lalbuag Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal’
started in 1928 who manages Mumbaicha Raja this year have decide to donate all its proceedings to NAAM foundation
founded by Nana Patekar & Makrand Anaspaure for drought conditions in
Maharashtra.
3. Tejukaya cha Ganpati
Third biggest Ganesha Pandal in Lalbaug
area. ‘Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshaotsav Trust ‘ is the Mandal that manages
Tejukaya cha Ganpati.
The 18 ft. idol is a Tejukaya Raja
standing next to an Elephant. One can easily Identify Tejukaya Idol by the face
of Ganesha, its somewhat red with wide ears.
Get down at Chinchpokli station and start
descending the bridge which takes you to entrance of Lalbaugcha Raja. Other two
Ganesha Pandals are to the left towards dadar. It’s advisable to visit them
before first 5 days of Ganesha Utsav.
4. Parel cha Raja
Around 2 Kms from Lalbaug area is the Parel
cha Raja known for its Idol creativity and tallness it’s one of the top Ganesha
Idols in Mumbai which can’t be missed.
Since 1947 ‘Parel Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshautsav
Mandal’ is celebrating Parel cha Raja in Nare Park. Like each year, a fun and fair is organized
in the park for people.
The Idol is around 22 ft. with 10 hands
with its feet on head of a demon.
5. Lal Maidan Parel Ganesha.
Also one of the biggest pandal in area in
Lal Maidan Ganpati. It has a unique idol each year with 4 hands in standing
position. It also builds a huge set in the ground of a scenic beauty this time
the theme being of Peacocks.
6. Pravin Bal Mitra Mandal Parel
A small mandal at the end of Lal maidan
Lane. I have been following this pandal for 3 years now and the creativity with
the Ganesha Idol is beautiful and unique.
Just nearby, I would recommend to
see this Ganesha Idol for its creativity.
After Tejukaya Ganpati Pandal, take 2nd
Right towards Dadar , bypassing ITC Grand Maratha and then take first left,
continue on that road and take 2nd left for Parel Cha Raja Nare Park. Lal maidan is
in adjacent lane to Nare Park.
7. Pragati Seva Mandal , Matunga
One of the tallest and top Ganesha Idol of
Mumbai, this year is 24 ft. long standing on 1 feet in a dancing position. This
Pandal is known to be one of the first starters on the Day of Visarjan all the
way to Girgaum Chowpatty. It is next to famous Garnish Hotel in matunga.
8. G.S.B seva
mandal , Kings Circle.
The G.S.B seva mandal ,the richest mandal
in the city, has insurance of over 260 crores. It keeps its Idol for 5 days
which works out to be around 52 crore a
day, which is needed as the 70 kg. gold on the Idol itself is worth 22 crores.
It is beleived to have shelled out atleast around 50 lakhs for the insurance as
Lalbaug cha Raja which has insurance for 51 crores shelling out 12 lakhs.
The 12 ft. Idol is iconic and has gold all
over it. The Idol is made to sit on 22 carat gold-plated throne engraved with
precious jewels. It continues its
tradition of eco-friendly Idol which is made from shadu clay bought from
Kolkata.
The enthusiasm and celebration of the
people is overwhelming and it’s a sight in the visarjan process. People or
Sevekars pull the Idol loaded with gold as it is with a trolly all the way to
Girgaum Chowpatty. It’s a must visit Pandal.
9. G.S.B Sarvajanik Ganeshaotsav Samiti (WADALA)
Also called with the same name but it’s
different. It is managed by North Kanra GSB People and celebrated at Ram Mandir
, Wadala. Not like another Ganesha pandals in the city, the idol is placed in a
temple, Ram Mandir also managed by the same people.
It’s a approx 9 ft. idol placed on a throne.
Even though the artisans craft a new murthy from clay each
year, this murthy has not changed one bit over the last few years. It is the
richest Ganesha Idol in Mumbai having approx. 75 kg of gold.
This Ganesha is celebrated for 10 days and
visarjan is carried out at Dadar, Shivaji Park and not Girgaum chowpatty. A
must visit, amongst the best when tradition and devotion of Lord.
10. Tejookaya Park, Bhuta Niwas & Pramanik
Ganpati
Bhuta Niwas Ganpati Pandal & Tejookaya
Park Ganesha Pandal are adjacent buildings on the highway towards dadar from
Matunga. Bhuta Niwas celebrated its 51st year and Tejookaya Park is
always known for its decoration. Both pandals are a symbol of unity and
celebration.
Pramanik Ganpati is the one pandal near
famous pramanik store near Kings Circle. It’s Idol is constant and a range of
silver ornaments are bestowed upon the Lord. One of the famous in matunga as
some silver screen artists visits the Bappa here frequently.
11. Matunga Flower Market & Matunga Central
Railway
One of the many flower market pandals in
the city, its unique in decorating the stage with flowers and have a constant
Idol each year. It is managed by Shri Vinayagar Association celebrating its 43rd
year.
Matunga Central Railway Ganpati Pandal,
right next to station entrance is managed by Matunga Vignaharta Mandal. It also
has a constant Idol each year. It also carries out pooja and seva on the many
small idols also.
12. Amrut Sarvajanik Shri Ganesha & Bal Mitra
Mandal.
Amrut Sarvajanik mandal is one of
my personal favourite and is a very unique Idol. The Idol each year is crafted
in Lambodar form (Long trunk) of the Lord and has a unique posture. The ears
are big and Blue tinge to the eyes makes it a mesmerizing Idol. The ears boast
a different craft inside each year and have a pinkish Shade. The Idol is around
14 ft. in height.
The mandal has been organizing Sarvajanik
Ganesha Mahotsav since 40 years.The mandal is ranked number 1 among all other
mandals in Matunga.
Amrut Sarvajanik Shri Ganesha Utsav is one of the most renowned Ganesha Mandals
in the Matunga area. The festival is conducted in a traditional way, with young
and old participating with great energy and enthusiasm. The Amrut Public
Charitable Trust supports various charities like helping students in need of
funds for education, medical aid for the needy, Balika Ashram, Blind School for
Girls and Gavshala. The entire sponsorship amount will be used only for the
mandal and charity work.
Bal Mitra Mandal is a small pandal
celebrating its 49th year is opposite to Amrut Sarvajanik Ganesha
and is popular in decorating the pandal with Thermacoal . The Idol is a small
one but with great artistic touch. Creative & enthusiastic people of
Balkrishna Niwas manage the Mandal and are dedicated to make it bigger every
year.
13. Malad Random Mandal.
It happened that I was in western suburbs
to take blessings from the Lord arrived at my friends place and along the way
we found this Mandal and decided to go. The Idol was in Lord Krishnas
avatar with a cow and a peacock in the
background. One of the members of Pandal suddenly turned of all the lights in
the enclosed pandal and then we saw the real beauty of the Idol. The Idol was
crafted with neon colors and the mandap was lighted with projected lights on
the white color cloth background. The sight was beautiful with a twist of some
modern idea. Not so hard but a street
smart decoration idea. One of the best Idols this year I would vote.
For Ganeshaa devotees, Khetwadi is a must
visit area during Ganpati Festival because it has Mumbai’s largest collection
of tall and amazing Sarvajanik Ganesha Mandals on a single half kilometer
stretch. The Khetwadi has 13 Lanes in which have 11 Pandals of Ganpati
14. Khetwadi 12th Lane Ganesha
Managed by Khetwadi 12th
Lane Sarvajanik Ganesha Utsav Mandal started in 1959 is among Mumbai’s Best
Idol & Mandal. Popularly called as Khetwadi cha Ganraj, the mandal is
sweeping the award for Best Idol & Mandal of Mumbai from last 7 years. The
14 ft tall and elegant Idol is beautifully decorated with gems, pearls and is
placed in a huge A/C Mandap that resembles Moti Mahal in Bhopal, Madhya
Pradesh.
15. Khetwadi 11th Lane Mumbai cha
Maharaja
Managed by Mumbai cha Maharaja Sarvajanik Ganeshaotsav
Mandal started in 1962, the Khewtadi 11th Lane Ganpati is popularly
known as Mumbai cha Maharaja. It is one of the more creative Idols in Mumbai
each year. The shape of the Idol changes every year. This year it is standing
position with long trunk decorated with old color.
16. Khetwadi 10th Lane Ganesha
Khetwadi 10th Lane Ganpati
Pandal celebrated its 60th year this time, popularly known as Bappa
Khetwadi Cha. The mandal took great efforts to narrate and play the story of
Tandav Nritya, dance of Lord Shiva.
17. Khetwadi 8th Lane Ganesha
The Khetwadi 8th Lane Ganesha is one of the
scariest and Mumbai’s best this year. A white very aggressive look of Lord Ganesha,
the Idol seems very unusual in Mumbai this year. The pandal is beautifully
decorated. One feels as if he is in one of the snow caves in a frozen forest.
For creativity & uniqueness one of the best Idols sculptured in Mumbai. It
is crafted by craftsmen named Shankar. The Khetwadi Galli 8 Ganesha is a
must-visit Mandal.
18. Khetwadi 7th Lane Ganesha
The Khetwadi 7th Lane Ganpati is
among the better idols in Khetwadi. The Tallest Idol in Mumbai, it stands at
staggering 28 ft. The 4 hand Idol is seated in cross leg position on a
beautiful peacock.
19. Khetwadi 2,3rd Lane Ganpati
The Khetwadi 2,3rd Lane
Sarvajanik Ganeshaotsav Mandal Idol commonly known as Khetwadi Cha Vignaharta.
The Idol is in standing position riding a cart that is pulled by a pair of
Mushaka i.e. vehicle of lord Ganeshaa.
The Idol is approx. 26 ft tall and beautifully colored.
We can reach Khetwadi by getting down at Charni
Road and taking a cab or bus to Khetwadi.
20. Dadar cha Raja , Dadar cha Maharaja & Datta
Rawool Maidan
Among the most oldest Mandal in Dadar, the
2015 Dadar cha Raja is placed in the pandal of Keshavji Naik chawl that is in
South Mumbai presently. Keshavji Naik Chawl is the place where Lokmanya Tilak
started the Ganesha festival in Mumbai.
The Idol is known for its sitting posture
and among the best in Dadar.
The Dadar cha Maharaja is celebrated by a
Mandal in Tulsipipe Road along Dadar Station west. The Idol is huge and very
wide seated on a throne. The festival is celebrated always with a social
message here.
Datta Rawool Maidan Sarvajanik Ganeshaotsav
Mandal is known for its huge stage and set decoration. This year a whole
artificial Tirupati Balaji Mandir was made enroute to Ganesha Idol. Huge crowds
gather in Datta rawool maidan, near to famous Siddhivinayak Temple in
Prabhadevi. The Idol was unique with its pinkish skin color and posture of ears
& hands.
21. Icchapurti Ganesha of Dadar & Bhatia Bhuvan Ganesha
Icchapurti Ganesha Mandal near Portuguese
Church Dadar is obe of the Mandals to look for. Emphasizing on social messages
each year, the Ganesha idol here is known as wish fulfilling , Icchapurti Ganesha.
The Idol has a unique shape of ears and is decorate with gold plated ornaments.
This year the Mandal had taken a great
effort to create an Icchapurti Railway station. A video was played in an
artificial created railway bogie where people were made to sit and effects of a
running train were given. The video gave the message about being alert
terrorist attacks in Mumbai and pointed out that it was also our careless
nature that we people did not bother to be alert about the suspicious parcel in
trains, buses & taxis. Indeed a great message. Kudos!!
Bhatia Bhuvan Ganeshautsav Mandal is
managed by people of Bhatia bhuvan in Gokhale Road, Dadar. Popularly known as
Gokhale road cha Raja this Mandal should receive a mention as it is one of the
mandal that will donate all its proceedings to NAAM foundation if Nana Patekar
& Makrand anaspure for draught conditions in Maharashtra. This pandal is
also known for using eco-friendly Ganesha Idol.
Having covered many Pandals in the city
there are more to cover each year. It’s great to see people celebrating this
festival with great enthusiasm, age old tradition & togetherness of
society.
But somewhere fear glooms that all Mandals
should not go for competition for the namesake & marketing purpose. Having
said that environment also needs a constant care and using traditional dhols
would be less harmful then using DJ’s which are loud and make your heart beat
loudly, a point all mandals in Mumbai
should take note on.
|| Ganpati Bappa Morya || Pudhcya Varshi Lavkar ya || Shambhu Sutaya ||
