5 Famous Mumbai Ganesh Mandals { Part - 5 }

Andhericha Raja

क्लिक हियर फॉर लार्ज साइज़ Andhericha Raja, Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee

The Andhericha Raja is to the Mumbai suburbs what the Lalbaugcha Raja is to south Mumbai. The mandal was established in 1966 by the workers of the Tobacco company, Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Ltd, who moved from Lalbaug to be closer to their factories.

Compared to many other famous mandals in Mumbai, the idol isn't as towering or imposing. However, it has a reputation for fulfilling wishes. The mandal also usually has a novel theme and other attractions, which have in the past included sand sculpture and a mela (carnival).

• Location: Veera Desai Road, Azad Nagar, Andheri (western Mumbai suburbs).
• Nearest Railway Station: Andheri.
• When to Visit: Evenings are busiest, however devotees have an extra day to see the God. The idol is the only one in Mumbai to be immersed on Sankashthi Day, which is the day after Anant Chaturdashi (the last day of the festival when large idols are commonly immersed).

The procession for the immersion starts out in the late afternoon and takes the following route: Azad Nagar II, Veera Desai Road, J P Road Amboli, S V Road, Andheri MarketNavrang Cinema-Sony Mony-Apna Bazar-Indian Oil Nagar Junction-Four Bungalows-Seven Bungalows-Versova Bus Depot, and finally to Versova village. It takes around 20 hours.

More information is available from the Andhericha Raja website.

5 Famous Mumbai Ganesh Mandals { Part - 4 }

GSB Seva Kings Circle

क्लिक हियर फॉर लार्ज साइज़ GSB Seva Kings Circle

The GSB Seva Ganesh mandal is affectionately known as Mumbai's gold Ganesh. Yes, that's pure gold it's adorned with -- more than 60 kilograms of it! The mandal, often stated to be the richest in the city, was founded by the Gowd Saraswat Brahmin community from Karnataka in 1954. They've prospered in Mumbai, and as a mark of respect to the city they conduct various social programs along with a grand celebration of the Ganesh Festival.

The idol is always an eco-friendly one, made out of clay. The mandal is also distinctive because there's none of the usual recorded music there. Instead, traditional Indian musical instruments used in south Indian temples are played.

A convenient aspect of this mandal is that it has an elevated walkway set up to aid viewing of the idol.

• Location: G.S.B. Sports Club Ground, Near S.N.D.T. Women's College, R.A. Kidwai Road, King's Circle, Matunga (central Mumbai).
• Nearest Railway Station: Kings Circle on the Harbour Line and Matunga on the Central Line.
• When to Visit: This Ganesh idol only stays for the first five days of the festival, so see it early.

5 Famous Mumbai Ganesh Mandals { Part - 3 }

Khetwadi Ganraj

क्लिक हियर फॉर लार्ज साइज़ Khetwadi 12th lane Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal

The award winning Khetwadi Ganraj is considered to be one of the most spectacular Ganesh idols in Mumbai. The mandal was established in 1959 but found fame in 2000, when it made the highest Ganesh idol in Indian history, standing 40 feet tall. The idol is decked out in real gold jewelry. One year, it was even studded with real diamonds.

An added attraction when visiting the Khetwadi Ganraj is that there's a Ganesh idol in almost every lane in the area -- so you'll have plenty to see!

• Location: 12th Lane Kehetwadi, Girgaum (south Mumbai).
• Nearest Railway Station: The nearest stations are Charni Road and Sandhurst Road.
• When to Visit: During the day is best. Peak time is in the evenings from dusk to midnight.

More information is available from the Khetwadi Ganraj website.

5 Famous Mumbai Ganesh Mandals { Part - 2 }

Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja

क्लिक हियर फॉर लार्ज साइज़ Ganesh Galli Mumbaich Raja

The Mumbaicha Raja, in Ganesh Galli (Lane), is located only a couple of lanes away from theLalbaugcha Raja and is also very popular. It lost its shine to the Lalbaugcha Raja in the late 1990s but still pulls in the crowds.

The mandal is well known for its lavish new themes every year, often a replica of a famous place in India. It was formed for the benefit of the mill workers in 1928, making it the oldest one in the area.

• Location: Ganesh Galli (Lane), Lalbaug (central Mumbai).
• Nearest Railway Station: Chinchpokli, Curry Road, and Lower Parel railway stations are close by.
• Waiting Time: Can be as little as 20 minutes, or a few hours.
• When to Visit: It's always busy. Peak hours are in the afternoon and night from 3 p.m until 2 a.m.

The procession for the immersion (visarjan) on the last day of the festival starts out from 9.30 a.m. and takes the following route: Dr. S.S Rao Road, Ganesh Cinema, Chinchpokli Bridge, Arthur Road Corner, Saat Rasta, Sane Guruji Marg, Agreepada, Dr. Bhadkamkar Marg, Opera House, Willson Collage, Girgaon Chowpatty.

More information is available from the Mumbaicha Raja website.

5 Famous Mumbai Ganesh Mandals { Part - 1 }

Lalbaugcha Raja

क्लिक हियर फॉर लार्ज साइज़ Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.

The Lalbaugcha Raja, King of Lalbaug, is undoubtedly the most famous Ganesh statue in Mumbai. The mandal was founded in 1934, and has grown to be the most visited one in the city.

If you want to see the lengths people are prepared to go to for devotion, the Lalbaugcha Raja is the idol to visit. It draws an average of 1.5 million people a day -- astonishing! People simply believe that this Ganesh idol can fulfill their wishes, and there's a lot of media attention on it.

There are two main lines to see the idol: a general line, and line for those wanting to make a vow or get a wish fulfilled (navas). The navas line takes devotees right to the idol's feet, whereas the general line offers viewing (darshan) from a distance of around 10 meters away. Until recently, it was common for the navas line to stretch snake-like for over five kilometers. However the organizer has started providing huge air conditioned tents in the adjacent ground to accommodate everyone.

• Location: GD Ambedkar Road, Lalbaug (central Mumbai).
• Nearest Railway Station: Walking distance from Lower Parel, Curry Road, and Chinchpolki stations.
• Waiting Time: Can be 20 hours or more in the navas line. General line takes around five hours.
• When to Visit: It's open around the clock. However, the busiest time is in the evening until midnight.

The procession for the immersion (visarjan) starts out at 10 a.m. from the Lalbaug market on the final day of the festival, and takes the following route: Lalbaug, Bharat Mata Theatre, Lalbaug, Sane Guruji Marg, Byculla Railway Station, Clare Road, Nagpada, Dunkan Road, Don Taki, Sant Sena Maharaj Marg (Kumbharwada), Suthar Gully, Madhav Baug, C.P. Tank, V.P. Road, Opera House, Girgaon Chowpatti.

More information is available from the Lalbaugcha Raja website.

Top 5 Mumbai Ganesh Festival Hotels

Where Best to Stay for the Mumbai Ganesh Festival

If you're planning on being in Mumbai for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, you can make it easier for yourself by staying at a hotel that's close to the celebrations -- particularly where the statues are immersed in the sea -- as the crowds can be formidable.  Most of the famous Ganesh statues in Mumbai get immersed at Girgaum Chowpatty (beach), on Marine Drive in south Mumbai.  Juhu beach is another popular immersion point, along with Versova beach, in the western suburbs. These five hotels in south Mumbai are the best picks around Girgaum Chowpatty for all budgets.

1. Marine Plaza

The Marine Plaza is a relatively small hotel that has 40 suites and 28 sea facing rooms, and a fabulous location right on Marine Drive only 10 minutes walk from where the immersions take place.  Renowned features are the rooftop glass bottom swimming pool, Geoffry's English Pub and The Bayview 24 hour cafe (with midnight buffet, and as to be expected, panoramic views of the bay). Double rooms cost around $200 per night.

2. InterContinental Marine Drive

The InterContinental Marine Drive is, as its name suggests, also on Marine Drive. However, it's located further down towards Colaba than the Marine Plaza. It's a boutique luxury hotel with 57 guest rooms, three restaurants, and one of Mumbai's most unforgettable bars, Dome. Expect to pay around $230 per night for a double.

3. West End Hotel

The West End Hotel is a cheaper option, with rooms going for around $100 for a double. It's located in between the Marine Plaza and InterContinental, but a couple of streets back from Marine Drive. The hotel has 80 rooms in an old style building, constructed in 1948. It's a little tired looking but is excellent value for a budget hotel in that area. Rooms are big and clean, food is great, and staff are really friendly.

4. Krishna Palace Residency

The Krishna Palace Residency is located near Grant Road East Railway Station, less than a kilometer from Girgaum Chowpatty.  It's a modern hotel, with 68 rooms and two specialty restaurants (one fine dining and the other vegetarian). The great thing about staying at this hotel is that it's close to Khetwadi so you'll be able to see the Ganesh statues in all the lanes, including the Khetwadi Ganraj, and join in the processions.  Rooms are priced at around $120 per night for a double.

5. Hotel Grant

If you're really on a budget, then your best option is Hotel Grant. It's located not far from the Krishna Palace Residency, very close to Khetwadi. Hence it's in an excellent spot for following the street processions to Girgaum Chowpatty.  There are 36 simply furnished rooms, with rates starting from 1,370 rupees ($30) for a double.

Visit Their Website

Mumbai Ganesh Festival Guide

Guide to Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

Procession on Ganesh visarjan (immersion) day in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Ganesh festival is one of the biggest celebrations in the city. If you want to experience in Indian festival on a grand scale, this is it! It's a giant street party with a special spiritual meaning. How did Ganesh Chaturthi become so popular in Mumbai though?

History indicates that the famed Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaja introduced Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations to the state to promote culture and nationalism. However, it was freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak that transformed it into an organized public event in 1893. His reasons for doing so were to bridge the gap between the castes, and build unity against British colonial rule. Lord Ganesh, as the much loved remover of obstacles and god for everybody, served this purpose.

The tradition has carried on, and nowadays there's great competition amongst local communities to put on the biggest and best display. 

These 5 famous Mumbai Ganesh mandals are amongst the most popular in the city. However, there are plenty of other well known ones that are worth visiting. Some of them, in south Mumbai, are:

• Ichhapurti Ganesh Mandal, near Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus in the Fort district.
• Fort Vibhag Ganesh Utsav Mandal, opposite the GPO in the Fort district.
• Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, near the east side of Chinchpokli railway station on the Central line.
• Rangari Badak Chawl Mandal, near the east side of Chinchpokli railway station on the Central line.
• Kamatchawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Opposite Zaoba Ram Mandir, Thakurdwar Naka, Thakurdwar. (This one is one of the oldest Ganesh mandals in Mumbai).
• Akhil, Anjeerwadi Mandal, located at Dr. Mascarenhas Road, Mazgaon.

Don't be concerned that you might not be able to find the festival. There are statues in streets all over the city. In fact, it's hard not to come across a display of Lord Ganesh!

If you're in Mumbai up to three months before the festival, you can see the Ganesh statues being made.

Where and When to See the Immersions (Visarjan)

The festival ends with the parading and immersion of the statues into a body of water, usually the ocean in Mumbai. Find out more about how Ganesh Chatuthi is celebrated.