Ganpati Festival in Mumbai

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 82^nd 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 2^nd Right towards Dadar , bypassing ITC Grand Maratha and then take first left, continue on that road and take 2^nd 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 51^st 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 43^rd 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 49^th 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 12^th Lane Ganesha

Managed by Khetwadi 12^th 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 11^th Lane Mumbai cha Maharaja

Managed by Mumbai cha Maharaja Sarvajanik Ganeshaotsav Mandal started in 1962, the Khewtadi 11^th 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 10^th Lane Ganesha

Khetwadi 10^th Lane Ganpati Pandal celebrated its 60^th 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 8^th 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 7^th Lane Ganesha

The Khetwadi 7^th 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 2,3^rd Lane Ganpati

The Khetwadi 2,3^rd 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 ||