Ganpati Bappa arrives in Mumbai: City’s oldest Ganpati mandal celebrates its 131st year – Times of India

MUMBAI: Mumbai is all set and excited as Ganeshotsav begins on Tuesday. This year, mandals across the city have bigger budgets, more provisions for devotees, better security arrangements, digital-friendly darshans and more. Here’s a glimpse at what Mumbaikars can expect at five of the most popular Ganpati pandals in the city:
MUMBAI’S OLDEST GANPATI MANDAL CELEBRATES ITS 131ST YEAR
The oldest Ganpati mandal in the city, the Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Sanstha at Keshavji Naik Chawl, Khadilkar Road in Girgaon, clocks in 131 years of celebrations. This is one of those pandals with no loudspeakers and the celebration is very traditional. Established in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak, the mandal has always had Ganpati idols that are two-feet high and made by Rajendra More (a third-generation idol artist).
CELEBRITY-FAVOURITE LALBAUGCHA RAJA TIGHTENS SECURITY
Lalbaugcha Raja, one of Mumbai’s most iconic pandals, is in its 90th year. Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal’s Babasaheb Kamble says, “We have installed 250 CCTV cameras. Door metal frame detectors, baggage scanners and security personnel will be stationed at all the entrance points. Apart from this, we have 5,000 volunteers, there will also be guards, police personnel and firefighters. Safety is our priority as we have a massive number of people visiting us day and night on all 11 days.”
A REPLICA OF RAIGAD FORT AT GANESHGALLI’S MUMBAICHA RAJA
Ganeshgalli’s Mumbaicha Raja is in its 96th year. “We have a 22-feet idol. We are creating a replica of the Raigad Fort. It will be around 40 feet in height and 150 feet in length. Around 3,500 volunteers will be on the ground to look after everything, says Swapnil Parab, Secretary of Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal.
GSB SEVA MANDAL INSURED FOR RS 360 CRORE THIS YEAR
“This year, we have two big havans for our nation. Also, 250gm gold will be added to the jewellery and 30 kg silver in the form of naivadya bhog patra utensils. We have an insurance coverage of Rs 360.45 crores. Ours is among the few mandals who give prasad to devotees twice daily for five days. In the morning, there is falhar or breakfast and then lunch bhog is served,” says Raghavendra G Bhat, Vice Chairman of GSB Seva Mandal, King’s Circle.
KHETWADI CHA LAMBODARA IDOL IS AMONG THE TALLEST IDOLS AT 45 FEET
Khetwadi cha Lambodara from Mumbai’s Khetwadi has one of the tallest Ganpati idols in the city at 45 feet. In its 62nd year, the idol this year depicts an avatar of Indra Dev.