Go Mandal hopping this Ganeshotsav

It’s that time of the year again. Mumbai’s favorite festival is here and millions of devotees will commemorate the homecoming of the elephant-god, Ganesha, over the next 10 days.

  1. Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug

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Almost 82 years ago, when the Peru Chawl was shut down, fishermen and vendors ousted from their marketplace prayed for a permanent one and vowed to build a Ganpati mandal if their wish came true. After sustained efforts by local leaders and residents, the landlord agreed to give them a plot in 1934 — the present-day Lalbaug market. The Lalbaugcha Raja is perceived to be the fulfiller of wishes, and the pandal attracts millions of visitors every year.

  1. Keshavji Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaum

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Started in 1893, this is the city’s oldest mandal. It celebrates the festival in the most traditional manner. It is also one of the few mandals that has never missed celebrating the festival. Its centenary year celebrations was grand. Organisers also conduct one large-scale celebration every five years. They have used hand-made paper and tried their best to be eco-friendly this year. The mandal will  also be celebrating a ‘mahila divas’ and ‘yuva divas’.

  1. Goud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Seva Mandal, King’s Circle

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The richest mandal, known for its ‘Gold Ganesh’, will be under surveillance through 48 CCTV cameras. The Matunga police station will be keeping an eye on real-time footage. As opposed to last year, when the mandal decided to cut unnecessary expenses keeping in mind drought-hit farmers, this year, they will accept donations in gold and silver. They have already received a 17kg silver throne as offering for the idol.

  1. Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, Andheri

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Mumbaicharaja, the oldest mandal in Lalbaug, will have a 22-foot idol. The pandal is a replica of Uttarakhand’s Badrinath temple — one of the four pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The deity will wear a 5kg gold necklace, with hands and feet made of 3kg gold each. The rest of the idol has been made from Plaster of Paris.

 

  1. Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Kastur Park, Borivli

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With 120 co-operative housing societies being a part of the trust, this is one of the biggest mandals in the western suburbs. The pandal has a trademark 8-foot idol every year, and is famous for showcasing different themes. This year, the pandal resembles Uttarkhand’s Kedarnath temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The finishing and art-work is exquisite with an eco-friendly touch to it.

So hop on a MyChoize self drive car and go mandal hopping this Ganeshotsav.