One of the biggest Indian festivals, Mumbai's Ganeshotsav attracts visitors from across the country to pay their respects at the famous Ganesh pandals. Which are the richest, most prominent Mumbai mandals?
At King’s Circle, the GSB Seva Mandal is perhaps Mumbai’s wealthiest Ganesh pandal. In 2024 it secured insurance cover worth an astonishing ₹400.58 crore for its five-day celebration. The revered MahaGanpati is lavishly decorated with 66 kg gold jewellery, 325 kg silver + other priceless ornaments.
After a local market in Lalbaug’s Peru Chawl shut in 1932, fishermen and vendors prayed to Ganesha. Their wish was granted. The Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was formed in 1934. Offerings pour in by the lakhs into the pandal of the ‘wish-fulfilling one’.
Among Maharashtra's earliest pandals, Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, in Ganesh Galli, began its celebrations in 1928. The size of its Ganesh murti is legendary. So are the offerings.
In 1928, Ramchandra Tendulkar, who was the mandal's treasurer at that time, started the Ganesh Utsav ate Nikadvari Lane. The speciality was that this Ganpati is made of clay.
Started in 1959 with modest means, Khetwadi Mandal made history in 2000 by unveiling a 40-foot Ganesha in Parshuram avatar, the tallest ever in India.
In 1962, a few residents from Bhandarkar Road area in Matunga came together to start the festival and promote a social cause. The pandal provides food to over 20,000 people through the festival.
In 1966, factory workers who had shifted from Lalbaug to Andheri founded the Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee, longing for the festive spirit of Lalbaug. Over the years, their pandal has recreated themes such as Akshardham, Somnath, Mangueshi and Saras Baug.