Ganesh Utsav Tour | Top Pandals To Visit In Mumbai

It's that time of the year again, when streets of Mumbai are filled with lights, sounds of dhol-taasha and enthusiasm. The whiff of freshly made modaks and puranpolis is hard to miss, while markets are packed with people bargaining for the best deal on fresh flowers. Everybody's favourite, the adorable 'Lord Ganesha', makes his away into homes and pandals for a period of 11 blissful days. Ganesh Utsav, as the festival is popularly known as, starts on the fourth day of the Bhadrapad month in Hindu calendar, and ends on Anant Chaturdashi [fourteenth day] with Lord Ganesha's immersion procession. Mumbai glimmers and shines during these eleven wonderful days, with fairy lights and sounds of peaceful bhajans all around. During this period, several people visit their friends, families, and explore various sarvajanik [public] pandals. 

While Ganesh Chaturthi has been widely celebrated at homes even before the seventeenth century and was further celebrated on a large scale during the Shivaji Maharaj and Peshwa rule, it was only in 1893 that freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak popularised Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav. This was done as the means to unite people from all castes and thus, creating a sense of nationalism among citizens to oppose the British colonial rule. Since then, several mandals took to celebrating Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav on a large scale, year after year. Over the years, certain mandals have carved their own niche and have become extremely popular. Some are 'wish-fulfilling', while the others are well known for their celebrity attendance, unique decorations, idols and some serious grandeur. In this post, we give you a round up of some of the most popular Ganesh Pandals in Mumbai, that witness a massive footfall every year.

Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal [Mumbaicha Raja]

Popularly known as the Mumbai cha Raja or Ganesh Galli ganpati, the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal will enter it's 95th year in 2022. Every year, the mandal plans a special theme for the decor and has also won several awards for the same. This year, one can witness a replica of Varanasi's famous Kashi Vishwanath temple. The 22+ ft Mumbai cha Raja idol will be seen in a Vishwakarma avatar. The mandal is involved in a variety of charitable causes as well. Every year, a highlight is the special tribute paid to public service heroes and frontline warriors, who are invited as special guests for the Aarti by the mandal. The beautiful pandal witnesses massive footfall every day during the festival, with the crowd swelling during the last three days.

Mumbai cha Raja at Ganesh Galli, 2014 | © Diary of a Dancebee

Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal

Widely known as 'Navsacha Raja' or 'Wish fulfilling' Ganesha globally, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal is one of the most popular pandals in Mumbai - with the highest footfalls every year. Founded in 1934 (because of a vow fulfilled for the creation of the Lalbaug Market); Lalbaug Cha Raja Mandal has now entered the 89th year. Lakhs of devotees visit the pandal for a glimpse of the 'Raja' everyday. Devotees whose wish has been fulfilled the previous year opt for the 'Navas' queue, which lasts for close to 24 hours or even more. The pandal is open for darshan 24x7, with celebrities and locals coming in for the special evening aarti everyday. The idol has been sculpted by the Kambli family for the past eight decades. According to Balasaheb Kamble (President - Lalbaug Cha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal), "The theme this year would be based on the 'Ayodhya Ram Temple' - which is being designed by art director Nitin Chandrakant Desai. The designs shall reflect elements from the Ram Mandir, including a replica of the dome." He further added that a temple with Lord Rama's idol shall be placed at the entrance as well. Everybody's favourite 'Raja' will be back on his popular regal throne (while the celebrations were skipped in 2020, a smaller idol in Lord Vishnu avatar was created in 2021).

   

Lalbaug cha Raja - 2016

GSB Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav (King's Circle)

The GSB Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal at King's Circle celebrates the festival for a period of five days. This is one of the first mandals to introduce a 'skywalk' darshan facility, for those who need a quick glimpse of the lord. Various pujas are conducted all day long, starting from 6 am onwards and going right up to 11 pm. The special attraction here is the fact that this huge idol is made entirely of clay and is adorned with pure gold, silver jewellery every year. Devotees can also participate in pujas, tulabhar [weighing scale] seva or enjoy the entertainment programmes conducted by folk artists. Do not miss the special bhog prasad [food] which is served to all the devotees post aarti, twice a day. This year, devotees can book Pujas on their app and present the QR code to collect the Prasad.

GSB Mandal, King's Circle 2015 | © Diary of a Dancebee

Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal [Andhericha Raja]

Popularly known as 'Andheri cha Raja' - the mandal is well known for its unique temple inspired themes every year. However, this year the mandal has decided to skip a temple themed decor, and have opted to replicate the popular 'Laxmi Vilas Palace' (situated in Vadodara - Gujarat). Founded in 1966 by blue collared workers of Lalbaug, who had then moved to Andheri; Andheri cha Raja keep their idol for fifteen days and are among the few mandals that immerse the lord on Sankashti Chaturthi i.e four days after Anant Chaturdashi. This year, the mandal is expected to witnesses major footfall (especially now that the covid-19 restrictions are lifted). In the past, the mandal has won several awards for their marvellous decor.

Andheri Cha Raja 2015 | © Diary of a Dancebee

Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Trust

Situated within the Tejukaya chawl premises, the Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal has created its own niche in the past 56 years, thus becoming one of the popular mandals in the area and city.  In 2019, the mandal become the first to create a grand 22 feet idol using various recyclable materials. Founded by the residents of Tejukaya Chawl in 1966; a wonderful USP of this mandal is their majestic idol, which is presented in a different avatar every year, with the exact same facial features (especially the sharp, stunning eyes - that are hard to miss). One can also see a special dome, massive gate and carved elephant structures that shall be placed on both sides of the entry lane. It is truly a blessing to witness this beautiful idol in all his glory!

Raja Tejukaya Cha 2015 | © Diary of a Dancebee

GSB Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav [Ram Mandir, Wadala]

Popularly known as the 'Gold Ganesha', the GSB Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal at Wadala celebrates Ganesh Utsav for eleven days, with pujas and special aartis conducted every hour. It is also widely known as one of the first mandals to ensure their idol and all the gold ornaments, which are both created by the trust and donated by devotees. The mandal organises special folk entertainment, with plays, bhajans and dance performances going on all day. The 'Ratri Pooja' or 'Night aarti' should not be missed, as the sounds of traditional instruments and rituals will give you goosebumps [in a good way]. 

GSB Wadala 2015 | © Diary of a Dancebee

Some other popular mandals in Mumbai include:

Keshavji Naik Chawl (Girgaum) - Mumbai's first ganesh mandal

Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal (Fort) - Known as Icchapurti Ganesh, among the first ones to have a dedicated song of their mandal

Sahyadri Krida Mandal (Chembur) - One of the most popular and award winning mandal in South Central Mumbai, best known for it's grand decor and larger than life themes

Girgaum cha Maharaj (Girgaum) - One of the tallest and oldest clay idols in Mumbai

Lal Maidan Icchapurti Ganpati [Parel] - Witnesses major footfall for their grand decorations

Parel cha Raja [Parel] - Well known for supporting various charitable and social causes. Also known for spreading messages supporting the environment

So, which pandal will you be visiting this year? Team Dancebee will be visiting most of these pandals in 2022. Follow our live updates on Instagram and Snapchat at @priyaadivarekar

Love,

The Dancebee