Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, comes alive with fervor and devotion during Ganesh Chaturthi. This grand festival is celebrated with unmatched enthusiasm, and at the heart of it are the beautifully adorned pandals that house the beloved Lord Ganesha. If you're planning to visit Mumbai during this time, here's a guide to the best pandals you simply cannot miss
1. Lalbaugcha Raja:
- Uniqueness: Lalbaugcha Raja is one of the most famous and revered pandals in Mumbai. What sets it apart is the sheer size and magnificence of the idol. The idol's intricate jewelry and decorations are a sight to behold, attracting millions of devotees. This pandal offers two distinct darshan experiences—Navsachi (or Charan Sparsh) and Mukha Darshan. The Navsachi queue primarily caters to devotees seeking blessings for their wishes to come true, while the Mukha darshan queue is designed for those who wish to have a distant glimpse of the Ganpati idol. It's worth noting that the Navsachi line tends to have the highest number of devotees, resulting in a lengthy and demanding wait before devotees can have their turn to seek the divine blessing by touching Lord Ganpati's feet.
- How to reach: To reach Lalbaugcha pandal, board the local train to Chinchpokali or Byculla Station. The Mukha Darshan queue can also be reached from Cotton Green Station on Harbour Railway or Rani Baug on the Central line. If coming by road for Mukha Darshan, the suggested route could be via Chhatrapati Shivaji Ground (Garam Khada) and T.B. Kadam Marg. For Navsachi darshan, visitors can reach the pandal from Lower Parel station on the Western rail line, and Curry Road station on the Central line.
- Duration: The pandal is open for darshan for a period of 11 days.
2. Ganesh Galli:
- Uniqueness: Ganesh Galli stands out for its artistic ingenuity and inventive spirit. Year after year, this pandal surprises visitors with novel themes that proudly display their creative skills. The Ganesh idol, an embodiment of intricate craftsmanship, beckons art connoisseurs from far and wide. This pandal is renowned for its opulent annual themes, frequently recreating iconic Indian landmarks. Its establishment in 1928 was originally intended to serve the welfare of mill workers, earning it the distinction of being the oldest pandal in the vicinity.
- How to reach: Chinchpokli, Curry Road, and Lower Parel railway stations are close by.
- Duration: You can visit Ganesh Galli's pandal for 10 days. It’s always busy. Peak hours are in the afternoon and night from 3 p.m until 2 a.m.
3. Gsb Seva Mandal:
- Uniqueness: Gsb Seva Mandal is known for its eco-friendly initiatives. Not only that but it is adorned in 66 kgs of gold and 295 kg of silver this is Mumbai’s richest Ganpati- GSB Seva Mandal. It generated a buzz last year with the highest insurance cover of ₹316 crore with the largest part of the insurance cover being dedicated towards personal accidents for the participants. This year the insurance cover is around ₹360 crore.
- How to reach: If you are travelling by the central railway line of the Mumbai local train, you should get down at Sion station. If you on the Western side, you have to alight Dadar station and then get a train to Sion. Those travelling by the harbour line can get down at GTB Nagar railway station which is close to the pandal. You will find a cab outside the stations which will take you to the pandal.
- Duration: Rituals are performed 24x7 but only for 5 days.
4. Andheri Cha Raja:
- Uniqueness: Andheri Cha Raja, which is also recognized as the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, gains its reputation from its colossal deity and magnificent embellishments. The splendor of this pandal has the power to draw attendees from across the entire metropolis. The inception of the deity at this site dates back to 1966, and this year marks the 58th anniversary. Renowned for its elaborate themes, in the previous year, they opted to recreate Vadodara's Lakshmi Vilas Palace, a structure four times the magnitude of Buckingham Palace, demonstrating their commitment to creating grand spectacles.
- How to reach: You can take a metro from Andheri station in western line to Azad Nagar metro station to reach this pandal.
- Duration: You can visit this pandal for 10 days. By the 11th day, or Anant Chaturdashi, all Ganesh idols are immersed. However for 50 years now, Andheri Cha Raja has been the last idol to be taken for ‘visarjan’ on the day of Sankashthi Chaturthi. The visarjan yatra is more than 20 hours long.
5. Khetwadicha Ganraj:
- Uniqueness: Founded in 1959, it truly gained widespread recognition in 2000 when it crafted the tallest Ganesh idol ever seen in India, towering at 40 feet. This awe-inspiring idol is bedecked with authentic gold jewelry and adorned with sparkling diamonds. An added charm of visiting Khetwadi Ganraj is the presence of Ganesh idols in almost every lane in the vicinity, ensuring a visual feast for visitors. To make the most of your visit, it is advisable to explore during daylight hours, as the pandal experiences its peak footfall in the evening, typically from dusk until midnight.
- How to reach: The nearest railway station to reach Khetwadi Cha Raja is Grant Road.
- Duration: The pandal is open for darshan for 10 days.
6. Keshavji Nayak:
- Uniqueness: In this bustling city, there's one more pandal which is famous for its history. Keshavji Nayak known for its traditional and classic celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi. The idol here exudes elegance and simplicity, which is a refreshing contrast to the grandeur of other pandals. It's a beautiful representation of the essence of the festival. tand out. Freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak paid a visit here and delivered the speech, in the year 1901 , owing to its popularity for its simplicity. Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha (SGS) has been nurturing the morals and values suggested by Tilak who asked the community to celebrate the festival to promote the unity.
- How to reach: Closest station in western line is charni road and from the station it is around 10 min walk to the pandal
- Duration: The pandal welcomes its devotees for 11 days.
As you embark on this journey to explore these remarkable pandals, remember to be respectful of the customs and traditions. The devotion and creativity displayed in these pandals are a testament to the spirit of Mumbai during Ganesh Chaturthi. Make sure to plan your visits accordingly, and experience the magic of this vibrant festival in the heart of the city. Ganpati Bappa Morya!
