Tradition is Kept Alive
In Mumbai, Ganesh Utsav is celebrated with great pomp and fervour. Like the myth, people still create the idol with clay and water and paint it, followed by the ‘pran prathistha’ (life establishment) on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It takes months of preparation to make the attire, prepare the pandal (stage), create and paint idols, garlands and much more. In some places, the idol of Lord Ganesha is kept under a Bodhi tree, which is considered to treat nearly 50 different ailments.
Once the decorations and pran prathishta are done, Lord Ganesha is offered arthi, modaks, laddoos (his favourite sweets), jaggery, coconuts, flowers, music and dance. These offerings and festivities are carried out over a period of ten days. Devotees and the poor are fed Prashad, Maha Bhog and havan in pandals all over the city. Here are some sites that you must visit if you are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.
In Mumbai, Ganesh Utsav is celebrated with great pomp and fervour. Like the myth, people still create the idol with clay and water and paint it, followed by the ‘pran prathistha’ (life establishment) on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It takes months of preparation to make the attire, prepare the pandal (stage), create and paint idols, garlands and much more. In some places, the idol of Lord Ganesha is kept under a Bodhi tree, which is considered to treat nearly 50 different ailments.
Once the decorations and pran prathishta are done, Lord Ganesha is offered arthi, modaks, laddoos (his favourite sweets), jaggery, coconuts, flowers, music and dance. These offerings and festivities are carried out over a period of ten days. Devotees and the poor are fed Prashad, Maha Bhog and havan in pandals all over the city. Here are some sites that you must visit if you are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple
Siddhi Vinayak Temple is the most prominent temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh in Mumbai. Countless devotees visit the temple to seek blessings during the 10-day festival. The beauty of the extravagant floral decorations and ornaments will leave visitors mesmerised.
Lalbaughcha Raja
Lalbaughcha Raja is arguably the most beloved Ganesha idol in Mumbai, and the pandal it is kept in is renowned for fulfilling wishes. The atmosphere in this area is unsurpassed, filled with the high energy of ‘Karyakartas’ and devotees all singing famous slogans in Marathi like ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ and ‘Hi Shaan Konachi-Lalbaughcha Raja Chi’.
Siddhi Vinayak Temple is the most prominent temple dedicated to Lord Ganesh in Mumbai. Countless devotees visit the temple to seek blessings during the 10-day festival. The beauty of the extravagant floral decorations and ornaments will leave visitors mesmerised.
Lalbaughcha Raja
Lalbaughcha Raja is arguably the most beloved Ganesha idol in Mumbai, and the pandal it is kept in is renowned for fulfilling wishes. The atmosphere in this area is unsurpassed, filled with the high energy of ‘Karyakartas’ and devotees all singing famous slogans in Marathi like ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ and ‘Hi Shaan Konachi-Lalbaughcha Raja Chi’.
Ganesh Galli-Mumbaicha Raja
The Mumbaicha Raja pandal is just 5 minutes away from Lalbaugh. Considered the oldest in the city, it is decorated with different themes every year. For the people of Mumbai, Ganesh Puja is considered incomplete without a visit to this holy site.
GSB Seva Ganesh Mandal
The eco-friendly GSB Ganpati is known as the richest Ganpati in the world. The idol is adorned with crores of Rupees worth of gold, silver and diamond jewellery that is offered by devotees. Most of the donations are used to serve food and offer Prashad to visitors. Organisers also conduct blood donation camps and other services.
Andheri Cha Raja
The extravagant pandal of Andhericha Raja is erected for 14 days and the idol is immersed five days after Anant Chaturthi on ‘Sankashti’. The pandal has been a constant in Mumbai for around 53 years and this idol is usually the last one to get immersed every year in Juhu Chowpatty.