MUMBAI: Ganesh Gully and Lalbaugcha Raja have begun the countdown to their 100th anniversary while the golden GSB idol of King’s Circle and the creative island of Khetwadi continue to draw worshippers in thousands, reports Bella Jaisinghani launching TOI’s annual series on Ganeshotsav pandals
Lalbaugcha Raja
Lalbaugcha Raja
The pandal that defines Ganeshotsav in Mumbai is now in its 93rd year. The 12 ft Raja carved by the Kambli moortikars sits inside a set resembling a grand Shiva temple. A steady stream of politicians, film stars and other celebrities have been arriving for darshan. Queues do not diminish despite 24/7 live streaming darshan.The Raja’s mandal netted Rs 48.5 lakh in cash offerings by the second day of Ganeshotsav Sept 15. Treasurer Mangesh Dalvi also reported collections of 66.7 gm gold and 2.8 kg silver. A few weeks ago, it had donated Rs 21 lakh to the victims of the Bhuleshwar Cha Raja tragedy where the idol toppled over killing two members of that mandal.Rs 11 lakh was given to the organisers and Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the deceased.
Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani
Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani
The oldest mandal in the Girangaon (mill land) belt of Chinchpokli, Lalbaug, Parel and Sewri is celebrating its 107th Ganeshotsav. The kind of popularity that Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani commands, online and offline, is the stuff of legend.Thousands of people gathered to admire moortikar Siddhesh Dighole’s idol during the aagman yatra Aug 29. This year, the Chintamani has been housed inside a replica of the Tirupati Balaji temple alongside the Swarnagiri mandir.In a first, the Adani Group has announced a partnership. Mandal vice president Praneel Panchal said this would help their programmes acquire grandeur and scale.
Ganesh Gully, Lalbaug
Ganesh Gully, Lalbaug
Ganesh Gully’s grand centenary comes up in 2027. This season the Mumbaicha Raja, as its idol is known, is celebrating its 99th Ganeshotsav within a set depicting Pandharpur and the saint tradition of Maharashtra. Mandal secretary Swapnil Parab says the 22 ft tall ‘baal roop’ Ganpati crafted by Akash Tirmal harks back to a similar idol that was carved by master sculptor Dinanath Weling decades ago.However, social media is hotly debating several aspects of Tirmal’s idol, including body proportions, attire and how the feet of the idol are inaccessible for ‘charan sparsh’. But Parab says the lines for darshan have not diminished. GenZ is appreciating the pandal heartily.
GSB Seva Mandal , King’s Circle
GSB Seva Mandal, King’s Circle
The 72-year-old mandal is organising its five-day celebration from Sept 14-18. The wealthy GSB community’s gratitude shines forth in the glittering gold hands and feet of the Southern style idol, its dazzling ornaments and the silver mooshak seated at its feet.GSB has peppered its social media pages with glimpses of celebrity visits by ministers, filmstars, bankers and educators. The mandal had earlier sought insurance of Rs 508 crore for its pandal this year, but surpassed its own expectations by obtaining a policy worth Rs 703 crore.It has maintained a record as the city’s richest Ganesh mandal.
Khetwadicha Raja , Khambata Lane
Khetwadicha Raja, Khambata Lane
This reputed mandal, one of many in the creative lanes of Khetwadi, is celebrating its 57th year. Chairman Santosh Narkar says moortikar Aniket Shewale’s idol is 38 ft in height and holds a veena in its hands.“The theme is based on music and Omkar Swaroop. Lord Ganesh is the king of 64 arts and music is prime among them. Our decoration is also based on musical themes. Our aagman yatra is a famous event and was very successful.”The Raja is a fixture on the Khetwadi circuit and receives a seasonal footfall of around 12 to 15 lakh. Member Niranjan Dikshit said, “We conduct blood donation camps, free health check-ups and distribute biscuits and fruits to patients at JJ Hospital.”
