Ganesh Chaturthi turns Mumbai into a city of colour, music and faith. Every lane seems to have a pandal, but some names stand taller than the rest. Here
is your guide to the pandals worth the crowd and the wait this year. Lalbaugcha Raja No list of Mumbai's Ganpati pandals can skip this one! Set up in 1934 by local fishermen and traders after their long-standing wish for a permanent market finally came true, the pandal earned the name Navsacha Ganpati -devotees believe their wishes are granted after a darshan here. The 15-foot idol draws millions every year. Where: GD Ambekar Marg, Lalbaug GSB Seva Mandal Set up by the Goud Saraswat Brahmin community, this is among the richest Ganpati idols in the city. The Mahaganapati murti wears over 60 kg of gold and silver jewellery, and the Vedic rituals here feel especially solemn. Unusually, the idol is immersed on the fifth day itself and not on Anant Chaturdashi. Where: Shree Sukriteendra Nagar, King's Circle Andhericha Raja Known as the king of the western suburbs, this pandal was started in 1966 by workers who had moved from Lalbaug to Andheri. Its idol is grand, but what really stands out is its visarjan, which stretches all the way to Sankashti Chaturthi, five days after Anant Chaturdashi. Where: Azad Nagar, Andheri Mumbaicha Raja Older than Lalbaugcha Raja, this Ganesh Galli favourite began in 1928. The pandals here often recreate famous temples and heritage sites in stunning detail. Since 1977, the mandal has kept alive its tradition of a 22-foot idol, a trend that later spread across the city. It also holds a rather unusual record - the world's largest 24-karat gold necklace, 12 feet tall and weighing 5.5 kg. Where: Ganesh Galli, Lalbaug Mumbaicha Peshwa A younger mandal, founded in 1989, with a strong Maratha royal theme running through its decor. Since 2008, it has been the first in Mumbai to craft its Ganpati idol entirely out of paper, an eco-friendly choice that has not dimmed its grandeur one bit. Where: Vile Parle East Colabacha Samrat Running since 1993, this South Mumbai pandal is a short walk from the Gateway of India. This year's idol is covered in dark Rudraksha beads, a nod to Lord Shiva's bond with his son Ganesha. Where: 2nd Pasta Lane, Shahid Bhagat Singh Rd, Colaba Fortcha Raja Also called Icchapurti Ganapati, this mandal has been active since 1962 amid Fort's colonial buildings and Art Deco lanes. Each year brings a new pandal theme drawn from history, architecture, or Indian culture. Where: Icchapurti Ganesh Chowk, Dr. Sunderlal Bahal Path, near GPO and Kabutar Khana, Fort
