Mumbai is awash in religious fervor as it anticipates the arrival of Ganesh Chaturthi on Wednesday, August 27, 2025. The ten-day festival, which celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the deity of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune, will culminate with the Ganesh Visarjan on Saturday, September 6.

City Gears Up for Grand Celebrations

As the date approaches, Mumbai is transforming into a vibrant "festival wonderland". The city is adorned with dazzling lights and massive, elaborately decorated tents called pandals, where idols of Lord Ganesha are installed. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has made extensive preparations to ensure a safe and environmentally conscious celebration. This includes setting up over 275 artificial ponds across the city to facilitate idol immersion and encouraging residents to use these ponds for eco-friendly celebrations. The BMC is also promoting home-based immersion using containers or community arrangements for smaller idols.

The Maharashtra government has officially declared the Sarvajanik and household Ganesh festival as "Rajya Mahotsav" (state festival) and launched a portal for devotees. Various departments under the Cultural Affairs Department have organized multiple activities, programs, celebrations, and competitions for the festival.

Iconic Pandals and First Looks

The first look of Mumbai's most iconic Ganesh idol, Lalbaugcha Raja, was unveiled on Sunday evening, marking the beginning of festivities. Crafted by the Kambli family since 1934, the idol attracts millions of devotees each year. Other famous Ganpatis in Mumbai include Ganesh Galli (Mumbaicha Raja) and Khetwadi Cha Ganraj. Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani, one of Mumbai's oldest Ganpati pandals, is known for its breathtaking idol craftsmanship.

Eco-Friendly Initiatives

With growing environmental awareness, there's a push for eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The BMC has provided over 1,025 sculptors free space for setting up pandals and has supplied 10,800 liters of natural colors, including eco-friendly paint and primer, to encourage pollution-free celebrations. A Mumbai-based artisan has been crafting Ganpati idols from specially processed eco-paper as a sustainable alternative to traditional clay or Plaster of Paris (POP) idols. These paper idols are lightweight, durable, and fully recyclable.

Traditions and Festivities

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with processions, elaborately decorated pandals, devotional music, and large gatherings of devotees. During the festival, people welcome Ganesha idols into their homes, observe fasts, prepare delicacies like modak, and visit pandals. Special group dances, prayers, and music performances take place throughout the ten days. The Ganesh Galli Cha Raja pandal typically holds aarti at 7 AM, 1 PM, and 7 PM, and devotees can visit for darshan from 5 AM to 11 PM daily.

On Anant Chaturdashi, the 10th day of the festival, the idols are immersed in water bodies during Ganesh Visarjan, accompanied by grand processions, music, and chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya".

A Festival for Everyone

Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is a celebration of faith, culture, and community. The festival brings people together in devotion and joy, filling the streets with color, music, and excitement. The spirit of Ganesh Chaturthi has spread around the globe, but Mumbai remains the place to experience the celebrations in their full glory.