7 wonders: Mumbai's most popular Ganeshas

The 10-day extravaganza is on in Mumbai as it hosts its most favourite deity. Rediff.com takes a look at the city’s rich and famous Ganpati mandals.

Photographs: Sahil Salvi

GSB Seva Mandal Ganpati

This year Mumbai's GSB Mandal houses an idol that has been made out of 80 kg of gold -- the richest in the city. It has an insurance worth Rs 50 crore a day -- that is a total insurance of Rs 250-crore for the five day festivity.

The idol was first installed in Matunga 60 years ago.

Lalbaugcha Raja, Parel

The Lalbaugcha Raja is undoubtedly Mumbai’s most popular Ganesh mandal. Situated in central Mumbai’s Lalbaug market area, the pandal was founded in 1934.

The mandal reported 10 lakh visitors on Friday and Saturday.

Ganesh Galli

The 22-foot idol installed at Ganesh Galli in Parel is popularly known as Mumbaicha Raja (the king of Mumbai). It is only a few lanes away from the popular Lalbaugcha Raja and is one of the most visited mandals in the city.

Ganesh Galli mandal has built a replica of the famous Khandoba temple of Jejuri, Pune this year.

Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, Chinchpokli

Established in 1920, it is one of the oldest sarvajanik mandals in the city. This Ganesha, one of the biggest crowd-pullers in the city, is installed in the south Mumbai neigbourhood.

Narepark Mandal, Parel

Known as the Parelcha Raja, the idol this year is of Ganesha in an avatar of Lord Vishu. The deity is seen standing on sheshnaag, the king of naagas (serpent god). 

Parel Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav Mandal was established in 1947.

Pragati Mandal, Matunga

This magnificent standing idol of Ganpati on a lotus is installed in Matunga by Pragati Mandal.

Rangari Badak Chawl, Kalachowki

This idol of Bal Ganesha (baby Ganesha) attracts worshipers from across Maharashtra. This mandal was established in 1938 and the idol was installed in the Kalachowki area of central Mumbai then dominated by mill workers.

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