Popular pandals to visit and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

One of the prominent Indian festivals, which is celebrated with much pomp and fervour, is around the corner. Yes, it is time to ring in festivities for Ganesh Chaturthi. Also known as Vinayaka Chavithi or Vinayaka Chaturthi, we worship Lord Ganesh to celebrate this festival. It is that time of the year, when the air is filled with aromas, and colours and sweet shops compete with each other to come up with the most artsy modaks (festival special dessert).

While this festival has great significance all over the country, it is Mumbai that takes the festivities a notch higher than the rest of the country. Mumbai is known for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, and if you are there during this time, you will find yourself drawn towards it. Almost all the lanes are decorated with lights, and sounds of dhols and drums will make your feet twitch to tap.
Read More: Ganesh Chaturthi: Western India’s most vibrant festival

To make your pandal visits convenient, we have compiled a list of Mumbai’s best Ganesh Chaturthi pandals that deserve to be in your list this time.

Lalbaugcha Raja

It is believed that Lalbaugcha Raja fulfills wishes, and is one of the most visited pandals of all time. In fact, people often end up waiting for 24 hours in the queue to get a glimpse of Lord Ganesh and offer their prayers. The pandal was founded in 1934, and draws more than 1.5 million devotees a day. In fact, even the legendary carving of the idol here has now been patented.

Address: Lalbaug Market, GD Goenka Road
How to reach: Take a local train till Lower Parel, then hire a cab or walk till Lalbaug cha Raja.

Ganesh Galli
This pandal is just a few lanes away from Lalbaugcha Raja, and was founded in 1928. Wondering why this pandal made it to our list? Well, this one is also a major crowd puller, as it has become popular over the years with its unique themes; more than often, this pandal creates replicas of popular temples of India. This year, the pandal will be the replica of Sripuram Golden Temple in Vellore.

Address: Ganesh Galli, Lalbaug
How to reach: Take a local train till Lower Parel, then hire a cab or walk till Lalbaug cha Raja.
Read More: Ganesh Chaturthi Special: Temples to visit in and around Delhi

Andheri cha Raja

This is the pandal that draws most ot the celebrities from Bollywood. Andheri cha Raja is also known for fulfilling wishes, and while waiting for your turn to offer your prayers, you might even spot a celebrity along with you. Andheri cha Raja is also popularly known as Lalbaugh cha Raja of the Mumbai suburbs. It was first founded by the workers of Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Ltd. in 1966.

Address: Veera Desai Road, Azad Nagar, Andheri West
How to reach: Andheri is the nearest station. Take a train from here till Azad Nagar Metro Station, from where you can walk to the location.

Chinchpokli cha Raja
Chinchpokli Sarvajnik Utsav Mandal was founded in the year 1920. The main highlight of this pandal is the Aagman Sohala, which refers to welcoming Lord Ganesh. This function is organised 10 days prior to Ganesh Chaturthi. Called the Chintamani Ganpati, thousands of devotees dance their way while bringing Lord Ganesha home and also during visarjan. The mandal, every year, spends around 60% of the money collected on social services, such as running a library, nursery, and helping adivasis.

Address: Dattaram Lad Marg
How to reach: Take a train till Chinchpokali Station, from where you can walk till the location

Keshavji Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal

This Ganesh pandal is one of the oldest in the city. It was founded by the well-known freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak in 1893, and thus has historical significance attached to it. Also, the idol of Lord Ganesh is not only tallest, but also an eco-friendly one. This year, the pandal would be celebrating its 125th year, and will be displaying the replica of Ganpatipule Temple, Ratnagiri.

Address: Keshavji Naik Chawl, Girgaun
How to reach: Take a train till Charni Road station, from where you can hire a cab for Nikdavri lane
Khetwadi cha Raja
Khetwadi cha Raja is also among the oldest Ganesh pandals in Mumbai, which was established in 1959. An interesting fact about this pandal is that the shape of Ganesh idol has remained the same and the same idol maker has been making the idol for all these years. Once you reach the location, you will find there are 13 lanes, each having a Ganesh pandal. However, the most popular among all is the pandal in the 12th lane.

Khetwadi cha Raja pandal has also won many awards for the best idol and pandal. This year, the trunk of Ganesh idol has been adorned with diamonds to give it a different look.

Address: 12th Lane Khetwadi, Girgaum
How to reach: To reach this location, take the Grant Road
Sahyadri Krida Mandal
It was once a sports club, which started off Sarvajanik Ganesh in 1977. The popularity of the pandal has since then only risen. The creative decorations always remain the highlight of this pandal. This year, it is propagating the theme of Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan, Jai Vigyan.

Address: Tilak Nagar, Chembur
How to reach: For those taking the Central Line, Vidyavihar will be the nearest station. From there, you can take a cab till Tilaknagar in Chembur, or opt for the Harbour Line train

Houses and markets turn lively during this occasion with twinkling lights, and you might fortunately become part of huge processions, carrying Ganesha idols to their designated pandals. In Mumbai, Ganesh Chaturthi pandals are in fact the main attractions; they witness hundreds of people gathering together and enjoying the festival enthusiastically. These pandals with their decoration also make it a point to promote a cause.

Months of work by the artists, vendors, volunteers, and sculptors finally sees culmination and adds to the festive air with huge, carved Ganesh idols. This is when the city comes alive with chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya.