Here are five of the city's oldest Ganpati mandal that you can't afford to miss.
If you want to witness festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi and experience its spirit in Mumbai during the 10-day-long festival, you must visit some of the best mandals in the city.
Here are five of the oldest Ganpati mandals that you can't afford to miss.
123-year-old Ganpati at Keshavji Naik Chawl, Girgaum
Image Courtesy: Facebook (Girgaoncha Bappa)
One of first freedom fighters of India, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the first public Ganeshotsav programme, in Girgaum, with the intent of bringing people together to fight against the British in 1893. That was how the first ever mandal was formed. You can visit this mandal near Charni Road station in Mumbai, on the Western Railway line, to witness its grandeur.
Ganeshgalli Mandal at Lalbaug Parel
Image Courtesy : Wonderful Mumbai
Ganeshgalli mandal was started in 1928, way before today's renowned Lalbaugcha Raja. It enjoyed fame for its tall Ganesha idols and even today the adjacent Lalbaugcha Raja is its only competitor. Known for its impressive decorations, the idol was installed inside a replica of the famous Kedarnath temple in 2009. The mandal is lauded for various activities like blood donation and other social campaigns. It has over three hundred volunteers.
The grandeur of Lalbaugcha Raja, Parel
Image Courtesy: Facebook (Lalbaugcha Raja)
Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has been organising Ganesh Chaturthi since 1934 and is famous as Lalbaugcha Raja not just in Mumbai, but across India. Lakhs of devotees stand in long queues for hours to see the idol here. Also known as King of Mumbai Ganpatis, Lalbaugcha is a must visit. Special arrangements are made here for the specially able, pregnant women and the elderly whose health doesn't allow them to stand in queue for 3-7 hours.
61 Years of GSB Seva Mandal Kings Circle, Sion and Wadala
Image Courtesy: Facebook (GSB mandal)
The GSB community in Mumbai has one of the most famous mandals in the city. Located at King's Circle on the Central Railway line, it is one of the costliest Ganesha idols and is decorated with a lot of gold ornaments. Mandals are also organised by the community in Sion and Wadala, where the GSB stick to its unique approach of using original gold jewellery. Instead of playing loud Bollywood music in its pandals, GSB celebrates the festival in a religious and traditional manner with chants and mantras.
Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotsav Mandal, Khetwadi Galli
Image Courtesy: Facebook (Khetwadicha Ganraj)
Located at the famous 12 lanes near Grant Road, the Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotsav Khetwadi Mandal has been organising Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations since 1970. At that point of time this area was almost equally populated by the Parsis, Marathis, Muslims, Christians and the Hindus, most of whom were inspired by Lokmanya Tilak and celebrated the festival with the same spirit irrespective of their religious identities. The Ganpati of this mandal is known for the lighting and decoration. Khetwadi is also known for its tall idols that can go up to 12 feet in height.
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