Famous Ganesh Murthis of Mumbai

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the arrival of Ganesh to earth from Kailash Parvat with his mother Goddess Parvati/Gauri. The festival is marked with the installation of Ganesh idols privately in homes and publicly. Shri Bal Gangadhar Tilak, popularly known as Lokmanya Tilak, started the tradition in public in Pune in the year 1893 on elaborate pandals (temporary stages).

Here are some Mumbai’s famous Ganesh idols you got to visit :

1. Lalbaugcha Raja

The Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal (formerly ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Lalbaug’) was founded because of a vow for construction of the present Lalbaug Market at its existing place. The marketplace at Peru Chawl was shut down in 1932. Hence, the fishermen and vendors who used to sit in the open place vowed to Ganesha for permanent place for their market. With the consistent efforts and support of the then local councillor Kuwarji Jethabhai Shah, Shyamrao Vishnu Bodhe, V. B. Korgaonkar, Ramchandra Tawate, Nakhawa Kokam Mama, Bhausaheb Shinde, U. A. Rao and the local residents, the landlord Rajabai Tayyabali agreed to give a plot for construction of a market. As fulfilment of their wish, the fishermen and traders established the Ganesh idol on 12 September 1934. The idol was dressed in the customary fashion of fishermen. Since that day, this idol of has become popular as it is believed he fulfils the wishes of devotees. The mandal was formed in the era when the freedom struggle was at its peak.

2. Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja

The mandal is well known for its novel 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 idol in the area. Importantly, the use of Plaster of Paris has been reduced to prevent pollution. The wait can be as little as 20 minutes, or a few hours and peak hours are in the afternoon and night from 3 p.m until 2 a.m.

3. Girgaoncha Raja

Girgaoncha Raja – is an eco-friendly Ganpati that stands tallest in clay at about 21 ft. in Girgaum, Mumbai. Historically the treasurer Ramchandra Tendulkar of the Mandal in 1928 started this Ganesh Utsav with clay Ganpati. Made of the special Shadu clay from which the Durga idols are made in Bengal, the tradition of making this idol has been with the Patkar family since the last 85 years. The idea of making these clay Ganpatis has been to spread the message to others in the state to help protect the environment through these easily dissolving clay idols which do not pollute the waters in which they immerse.

4. Chinchpokli Cha Raja

Chinchpoklicha Chintamani Ganpati is organised by Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal. The Ganpati mandal founded in 1920 is one of Mumbai’s oldest Ganpati mandal. The idol sculpture is Vijay Khatu from Khatu workshop Parel. One unique feature of the Mandal, is that on the day of Visarjan, they leave the Lalbaugh premises singing ‘Ganesh Aaarti’ towards going to Girgaum beach, unlike others who beat drums or play music.

Sources :

• Ganesh Chaturthi Wikipedia
• Lalbaugcha Raja Wikipedia
• Famous Mumbai Ganesh Idols by Trip Savvy
• The Pandal Ganpati by Unnati Skills
• Famous 4 Mandals of Lalbaug by The Free Press Journal

Share with us your Ganesh festival memories in the comments below. Make sure to share this blog with your friends, & follow for more.

Bon Voyage! Abby