Pandal plans? Keep this guide handy
As Bappa occupies a space in your homes and minds, here’s all you need to know about the popular mandals
Known as the wish-fulfilling Ganpati, devotees wait in long queues to get a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja. The legend dates back to 1932, when vendors of Peru Chawl had vowed to put up a Ganpati pandal if their shops were returned to them at the present-day Lalbaug market. The Fortcha Icchapurti Ganpati is known for its grand decorations. This year, they have replicated a palace from Rajasthan across a 2,700sqft area.
The mandal had made a 40-ft elephant gate in 2016, which was a draw for devotees. This year, organisers have opted for eco-friendly decorations by art director Nitin Desai. “We want to talk about conserving the forest, environment and animals. In our 85-year history, this year is a milestone in terms of the theme,” said Balasaheb Kamble, president of the mandal. The organisers will hold an organ donation drive on their premises during the 10-day festivities, and opt for traditional dhol tasha during visarjan. “The queue outside our pandal keeps increasing every year as we have the biggest set in Mumbai,” said Rupesh Surve, secretary. This year’s theme is temple. “Our system of working is for the people, by the people and of the people,” said Ashok Pednekar, secretary of the mandal.
Keeping their tradition alive, sculptor Rajendra More has made this year’s idol too.
LEGACY
YEAR: WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS
is not After 30 years, the Raja
a sitting on a throne, but
made stone. The decorations,
a of paper mache, replicate forest with an element of virtual reality.
LOCATION: Lalbaug market, GD Goenka Road, Lalbaug NEAREST STATIONS: Western
line: line: Lower Parel; Harbour Cotton Green; Central line: Currey Road/ Chinchpokli
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime during the day
LEGACY YEARS YEARS
WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR:
got a Art director Anant Savant team of 25 people from Rajasthan to work on the palace.
LOCATION: Near CSMT NEAREST STATIONS: Western
line: line: Churchgate; Central
CST
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime of the day
YEAR: WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS The mandal will go eco-friendly and will only natural products for decoration.
LOCATION: Keshavji Naik chawl, Girgaum
NEAREST STATION: line: Charni Road
BEST TIME TO VISIT: during the day
use
Western
Anytime The mandal is known for its idol decorated with gold. From shadu idol to organic food served on plantain leaf, the mandal will continue with its eco-friendly celebrations, with banners creating awareness on plastic ban. “Instead of plastic, we will use cloth bags for prasad this year. Our modaks will be wrapped in butter paper. Those with plastic bags will not be allowed inside, unless they deposit it,” said Satish Nayak, a trustee. One of the richest mandals in the city, it has a 14-ft eco-friendly idol. The Ganpati idol is decorated with gold and diamonds.
Situated in Ram mandir, the mandal believes in eco-friendly celebrations. “This year we donated ₹1 lakh for Kerala relief operations ahead of the festival,” said the president of the mandal, Ulhas Kamat. Sahyadri Krida Mandal has created a replica of a Ram temple, making sure the pandal remains eco-friendly.previously, the pandal had themes such as Dakshineswar Kali temple, Hampi temples, 100 years of Indian cinema and Kung Fu Panda village.
“Although our pandal is smaller than last year, our murti is of the same size (six-and-a-half ft). We will continue to support organ donation, and not use gulal and firecrackers,” said Jaya Shetty, vice-president.
LEGACY
A WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR: Known to be the richest mandal, the insurance cover for the pandal has been
this increased to ₹264.75 crore year, from ₹240 crore. LOCATION: GSB Sports Club Ground, near SNDT Women’s College, King’s Circle, Matunga NEAREST STATIONS: Harbour
and line: King’s Circle; Central western line: Matunga
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
11pm
LEGACY YEARS
6am to
YEARS
WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR: The mandal has got a special musical instrument from Karnataka to be used during visarjan
LOCATION: Dwarkanath Bhavan, Katrak Road, Wadala NEAREST STATION: Wadala BEST TIME TO VISIT: Anytime of the day
LEGACY YEARS
A WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR:
been replica of Ram Temple has created, with inputs from Ramayana a part of the decoration.
LOCATION:
Chembur
NEAREST STATIONS: Central
line: line: Vidyavihar; Harbour
Tilak Nagar
BEST TIME TO VISIT: Between 3pm and midnight
Tilak Nagar, The oldest mandal in Lalbaug, it will replicate the Surya Mandir of Gwalior, with special LED lights. Last year, the mandal had replicated the Golden Temple in Vellore. “Our decoration is eco-friendly. We have stayed away from Plaster of Paris (POP),” said Swapnil Parab, secretary, of the mandal. Last year, the mandal, which has started the countdown towards its centenary year celebrations, repeated the design of the 1985 idol made by Dinanath Velling, the mentor of their favourite sculptor, the late Vijay Khatu. This year, the idol is made by Khatu’s student.
LEGACY YEARS
YEAR: WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS
The mandal will honour women from different walks of life, including those working at Tata Memorial Hospital, all-women staff of Matunga
an station and caretakers of orphanage.
LOCATION:
Lalbaug
NEAREST STATIONS: Western
line: line: Lower Parel, Central Currey Road, Harbour Line: Sewri
BEST TIME TO VISIT: during the day
Ganesh Galli,
Anytime In a first, the 21-ft idol has been made by Reshma Khatu, the daughter of the late sculptor Vijay Khatu, who worked for the mandal so far.
The pandal has been modelled on the lines of Brihadeeswarar Temple, Thanjavur. The mandal has put up a gyaan peti, where the devotees can put novels and story books that will Apart from the legacy, you could visit Andhericha Raja to spot celebrities. This year, the organisers are replicating Chintamani Mandir of Theur, which has been made by Dharmesh Shah and Prashil Nimaspkar. Last year, the mandal had replicated Balleshwar temple in Pali, Raigad. “Like last year, the celebrations will be eco-friendly Better known as Khetwadicharaja, the pandal has won many awards for best mandal and best idol. The idol, which is 15-ft high, is usually adorned with gold jewellery. This year, the mandal has built a replica of Akshardham be donated to tribal students. “We have created the background of Earth. Also, the proceedings will be telecast live online as well as on
TV,” said Sandeep Parab, spokesperson of the mandal.
From their last year’s collection, the mandal started a yoga class in the area. this year too,” said Subodh Chitnis, treasurer. The design of the idol remains the same. The ornaments include a 3.1kg gold crown, which was made using the donations received during its 50th anniversary. The organisers have a strict dress code — the clothes have to be below the knee. temple, Delhi.
“We have installed CCTV cameras and air-conditioner in the pandal,” said Shankar Harale, secretary of the mandal. OLDEST MANDAL Keshavji Naik chawl, Girgaum, completing 126 years.
RICHEST MANDAL GSB Seva Mandal, King’s Circle
MOST POPULAR MANDAL Lalbaugcharaja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal. The footfall in 2017 was
LEGACY YEARS
WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR:
year Kicking off their centenary
has celebrations, the mandal
next already revealed a logo for year. They will organize a competition during Maaghi Ganpati for sculptors across state.
LOCATION: Dattaram Lad Marg, near Chinchpokli station NEAREST STATION: Chinchpokli
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
5pm
LEGACY
the
10am to
YEARS
WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR:
to Last year, 502 people pledged
a donate their organs during drive conducted by the mandal. This year, a street play on tobacco awareness and blood donation drive will be held.
Road, LOCATION: Veera Desai
Azad Nagar, Andheri (West) NEAREST STATION: Andheri BEST TIME TO VISIT: 5amto
the 12pm, if you want to avoid crowds
LEGACY YEARS
A WHAT’S SPECIAL THIS YEAR: The Akshardham Temple replica
LOCATION: 12th Lane Khetwadi, Girgaum
NEAREST STATIONS: Western
line: line: Charni Road; Central Sandhurst Road
BEST TIME TO VISIT:
Anytime during the day