Maharashtra

Experiencing the Essence of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

By: Travel and Food Network (tfninternational.com)

Maharashtra

Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi is the day when devotees of Lord Ganesh, the god of wisdom and good fortune, mark his birth. The auspicious ten-day Hindu festival is observed in the lunar month of Bhadrapada, which falls during the months of August and September.

Ganesh Utsav is celebrated with a whole lot of grandeur and pomp all over the country and the public celebrations include installing huge clay idols of Ganesha in public pandals. On the day of the festival, pujas and aartis are performed with family and friends, where local delicacies are offered to the deity. At the end of the long festival, the idols are immersed in the water: called Ganesh Visarjan. This is done as a procession with thousands of people accompanying the idol, with music and dance.

Although Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated throughout the country, the most fervour celebrations take place in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Where To Celebrate In Mumbai: Tourists from across the globe come to Mumbai to witness the grand celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi and here is a list of famous destinations one could visit to join in on the festivities.

Mumbaikars observe Ganesh Chaturthi with great zeal and excitement. For the next 10 days, the city that never sleeps will hear chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ from every lane as every mandal will put up their best show to celebrate the homecoming of the Elephant God — Ganesha. Months of work by artists, sculptors, volunteers, and vendors will take the shape of larger-than-life idols and vibrant celebrations.

While you are in Mumbai, head to the Goud Saraswat Brahmin (CSB) Samiti Mandal at Wadala to have a darshan of the richest Ganesha in Mumbai. Your trip would be incomplete without a visit to Lalbaughcha Raja. Unlike other Ganeshas, Lalbaugcha Raja (founded in 1934) is not a shrine but a community organised festival. Reportedly it attracts over 1.5 million people daily. This year Lalbaugcha Raja will be in his regal pose on a throne in his 12-ft form and the theme for this year is the Ayodhya Ram temple. A couple of lanes away from Lalbaugcha Raja is Mumbaicha Raja in Ganesh Galli (Lane) which is a crowd puller for the annual thematic celebrations. This year the pandal is a replica of the Kashi Vishwanath temple of Varanasi. Then there’s Andhericha Raja which was first founded by the workers of Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Ltd. in 1966. This one draws most of the celebrities from Bollywood. Another popular Ganpati is Chinchpoklicha Raja. Chinchpokli Sarvajnik Utsav Mandal was founded in 1920. A sight to behold is when thousands of devotees dance their way while bringing Lord Ganesha home and also during visarjan. Finally, the tallest Ganesha and the richest in the world is kept at the GSB Seva Mandal Tentat Krida Mandir. You may also visit Shree Siddhivinayak Ganapati Temple, one of the most-popular Lord Ganesh Temples in the country. During the Ganesh Chaturthi Utsav, the place is full of devotees arriving to seek Ganpati Bappa’s blessings.

What To Eat:

If you are planning to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai, remember that what makes every occasion extra special are the traditional delicacies made for the occasion. When visiting Mumbai during the Ganpati season, here are six must-try dishes:

Modak: Lord Ganesha loves Modak so much so that he is also known as Modakpriya because of his love for these sweet dumplings. The traditional modaks also known as Ukadiche Modak are made with rice flour, coconut, jaggery and steamed to perfection and devotees offer them as prasad. These days you also get other variations of Modaks, including the ones made with chocolate, fried, kesar, coconut crunch, and dried fruits. Modakam in Prabhadevi, Aaswad in Dadar and Jhama Sweets in Chembur, JW Marriott Sahar in Andheri are some great places to get modaks in Mumbai.
Puran Poli: Puran Poli is one of the most significant and well-liked sweets during the event, apart from modaks. Puran Poli is a sweetbread with a filling of chana dal, jaggery, cardamom powder, and a lot of ghee. It can be given as prasad to worshippers and as a bhog to Ganesha. Hit up Bhaskar’s Puranpoli Ghat in Thane West for a wide range of Puran polis.
Shrikhand: Popular in Maharashtra, shrikhand is usually served as prasad during Ganesh Chaturthi. Greek yogurt, sugar, a dash of salt, cardamom, chironji, and saffron are all needed for the simple dessert. To improvise on the flavor of this Maharashtrian treat, fruit flavors are added to the sweet. Shree Thaker Bhojanalay in Mumbai is a great place to try authentic Shrikhand.
Kaju Kothimbir Vadi: The Marathi word “Kothimbir” means coriander, and the word “Vadi” means fritters- coriander fritters. These fritters are prepared using a batter of chickpea flour, coriander, and other spices. They are steamed first, then sliced into wedges before being deep-fried till crisp and crunchy. These delicious Vadis are made during this occasion and are relished with other savory foods. One of the best places to get Kaju Kothambir Vadi in Mumbai is at Diva Maharashtracha.
Varan Bhat: Varan translates to lentil curry or dal, and bhaat translates to steamed rice and is one of the most popular dishes made during Ganesh Chaturthi. Made with a mix of moong dal and arhal dal along with curry leaves, grated coconut and cumin seeds, this dish is offered to lord Ganesha along with vegetable dishes including batata (potato) bhaji, beans bhaji and others. Aaswad Upahar & Mithai Grih in Shivaji Park are some of the best places to tempt your tastebuds with Varan Bhaat and other authentic Maharashtrian food.
Karanji: Another Maharashtrian delicacy offered to the deity during this festival is Karanji. Resembling Gujiyas from North India these fried pastries are made with a sweet stuffing that includes coconut, sesame seeds, almonds, cashews, raisins, cardamoms, nutmeg powder, sugar and ghee.

Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is more than just a religious observance; it's a celebration of life, culture, and community. The city's streets come alive with color, music, and devotion, making it a must-visit destination during this auspicious festival. Whether you're a tourist or a local, experiencing Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is an unforgettable journey that leaves a lasting impression of unity and faith.