Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations in Mumbai: What to Expect And Things To Do

Everything about Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom. Even though each household holds a private celebration, Ganesh Chaturthi continues to remain a community-oriented festival. Large-scale pandals or marquees are decorated across the city with mammoth-sized idols. People congregate in thousands to seek blessings and pay their respects.

An idol of the deity is brought into houses and offices on the first day, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, and culminates with visarjan, or its immersion in water on the final day. This day is marked as Anant Chaturthi and signifies his return to his parents. Ganesha is also known as the remover of obstacles, and it is believed that when the idol is immersed in water, it takes away with it all the obstacles of the house.

When does the festival take place?

Ganesh Chaturthi takes place in the sixth month of the Hindu calendar, which corresponds to August/September in the Gregorian calendar. The dates vary every year due to the difference in length between the two calendars.

Where is it celebrated?

While this festival is celebrated all across India, it is one of the main festivals in the state of Maharashtra. It is celebrated with much fervor in Mumbai and the city plays host to some of the most famous public idols.

Is it crowded during the festival?

It really depends on where you are visiting. The popular attractions will not be any more crowded than usual, but you will find the roads leading up to the popular pandals to get crowded in the evening.

Both Vinayak Chaturiti and Anant Chaturthi are state holidays, so visitors can expect large crowds in certain neighborhoods. These include areas where public marquees have been set up and the route they are expected to follow on the first and last day of the festival.

Are the shops closed on these days?

While most essential shops and pharmacies are open, the sale and consumption of alcohol is banned on both these days across India.

How should I dress during the festivities?

You can dress however you like when visiting the many attractions in the city. But if you are visiting a temple or a public marquee, men, and women should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts.

Is there a fee to visit the idols?

No, it is absolutely free to visit all the idols in the city. If you wish you can make a small offering of sweets, flowers or money.

What is the weather like in Mumbai?

Mumbai is usually warm and humid, with monsoons from June to September, with cooler weather from December to February. Make sure to carry an umbrella during the festivities.

Where can I buy traditional clothing?

If you wish to dress up in traditional attire during the festivities, you can head to the many malls in the city to pick a ready-to-wear outfit. If you wish to wear something unique, purchase some fabric and ask a tailor to create a bespoke dress.

Are there any precautions that I should follow?

As with traveling anywhere, be mindful of your surroundings and keep your belongings in sight at all times. Always have copies of your documents along with the number and address of your embassy in case of emergencies.

Things to do

1. Visit popular Ganesha idols

On the first day of the festival, the Ganesha idol is welcomed with much aplomb not just in homes, but also in residential communities and office complexes. Every year devoted groups of people also set up ‘pandals’ or marquees with elaborate and towering statues of Ganesha that people can visit for blessings.

Visiting the many idols across the city is a ritual that is followed by many. You can make a list of popular idols you want to visit but be prepared to wait for a few hours for your turn. Or you can simply take a walk and stop to admire the many smaller pandals that are erected.

One cannot miss a visit to Lalbaugcha Raja, which is open 24 hours during the festival. This is undoubtedly the most famous pandal in Mumbai and is visited by many celebrities and politicians. Some people wait for up to a day in long queues for a chance to offer their prayers. Each year the pandal follows a new theme, and the same family is helping bring the creation to life since 1935. This idol is believed to fulfill the wishes of its devotees.

2. Participate in the daily aartis

Aartis can best be described as a ritual of lighting a lamp and offering it to God. During the festival aartis are a twice-daily ritual that takes place in the morning and evening, after which a sweet is distributed to all. If you have the chance, attend an aarti at someone’s house for a close-up of the rites that are practiced. Or you can visit one of the many Ganpati temples or pandals in the city to experience this practice.

3. Visit Siddhivinayak Temple

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The original temple shrine was built in 1801, and later expanded to accommodate the growing number of devotees that visited to pay their respects. The black stone idol is just 2.5 ft (0.76 m) wide, with the goddesses Riddhi and Siddhi on either side. Located in Prabhadevi, the temple is easily distinguished by its many domes surrounding the principal dome that is supposed to represent the idol himself.

The approximate wait time is 45 minutes, but it can significantly go up during festivals and auspicious days. Since this is a religious venue it is recommended that visitors avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts.

4. Eat modaks and other delicacies

According to Hindu mythology, Ganesha has an insatiable appetite and loves to eat especially sweets. His favorites are modaks, which are jaggery, and coconut-filled delicacies that are wrapped in rice flour and steamed. It is traditionally the first and the last sweet that is offered during the festival. During Ganesh Chaturthi, you will see an offering of these or other sweets that are shaped like modaks made at the various temples and pandals in the city.

The festival really is incomplete without consuming copious amounts of this delicacy. And if you love what you eat, you can even sign up for a workshop to learn to make a variety of modaks during your stay in the city.

The sweets are not just limited to modaks but also include motichoor laddos (pearls of fried chickpea batter coated in sugar syrup), sweet coconut rice, and puran poli (stuffed sweet flatbread).

5. Go on a walking tour of Mumbai

Mumbai is a historic city, where the original Koli population has been residing for centuries. However, most of the iconic city landmarks were only constructed under the British, when the city transformed from a fishing village to a major economic hub. There are several walking as well as cycling tours that visitors can book to feel the vibe of the city.

These tours can take place in the morning or late at night, depending on your preference, Mumbai is famously referred to as ‘the city that never sleeps’ and visitors can always be assured to find a bite to eat no matter what time it is.

Catch a train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, visit the Gateway of India, walk along Marine Drive, and end your day with a chilled beer at Leopold Cafe. Along the way, you can pick up trinkets at Colaba Causeway or original artwork from the Kala Ghoda galleries.

6. Explore local markets

Mumbai is a shopper’s paradise, whether you are on the hunt for the perfect luxury handbag or souvenirs to take back from your travels. When you are in the city, you can not miss its famous street markets. Some like the Crawford Market are over 150 years old, and the shops sell everything from fruits to pets. This is also the top choice if you are looking for cloth to create your own capsule collection.

If you are looking to pick up the freshest flowers, there is no better place than the Dadar Flower Market, located right next to the station. Use them to brighten up your room, add them to your hair, or offer them at the pandals that you visit.

If you are on a budget holiday in Mumbai, you will get the most out of your Rupee at the Linking Road Market. Pick up the perfect dress with jewelry to match and a cute clutch for your essentials. Before you part with your money, remember to bargain hard.

7. Participate in community activities

The festival season is the perfect time to give back to those less fortunate. It can be something as simple as distributing small boxes of sweets or donating old clothes. Visitors could also use this time as a chance to participate in volunteer tourism. Options include teaching an English language class or tying up with an NGO and educating the public about sustainable practices during the festivities.

Festivals help to unite the community and the perfect way to celebrate this unity is through a variety of cultural programs. Each neighborhood has its own stage, where members put up entertaining plays or dances for all. If you are too shy to sing or dance, cheer on the participants.

8. Learn how to make rangoli

Rangoli is a decorative art form that is used to adorn the entrance of houses and temples. While it is usually a simple creation, during festivals and auspicious occasions the designs can be quite intricate. The first step in making a rangoli is drawing dots that are then joined to create your preferred shape. This symbolizes the infinity of the universe, and once completed rangolis are believed to bring good luck.

It is created using colorful rice powder and sand, rangolis can be either beautiful geometric patterns or delicate freehand designs. With Youtube tutorials and stencils readily available, it is easy to create rangoli patterns. But if you wish to bring out your artistic side, enroll in a short class to learn to create your own patterns.

9. Learn about sustainable celebrations at Keshavji Naik Chawl

Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaum hosts Mumbai’s oldest pandal, but don’t expect extravagant decorations or loud music when you visit. Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Sanstha, the organization in charge of the pandal continues to celebrate as per the same traditions since 1893. Over the course of 10 days, verses from religious texts are recited and priests chant devotional hymns. In the evenings, educational and knowledge-based games and events are conducted for children.

The idol here is not very grand either, but a simple 2.5 ft (0.76 m) statue that has been ordered from the same family for the past four generations. With a mission to make the festival more eco-friendly, the decorations that spread to 25 ft (7.62 m) are made entirely of clay.

What sets this pandal apart from the rest is not only its simplicity and sustainability but also its historic significance. This pandal was praised and then visited by freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who helped transform the festival from a private to a public affair. While it was initially started to garner support for the freedom struggle, today they work towards building harmony in the community.

10. Witness the visarjan

The festival culminates on a grand scale on the tenth and final day with visarjan, which is essentially bidding Ganesha goodbye until next year, and this act is done by immersing the in water. While many opt to carry out this tradition at home, the roads of Mumbai are packed with imposing idols from the pandals. The idols are led to the sea in a grand procession with beating drums, DJs, and dancing along the way. The streets are lined with people chanting the name of Ganesha and inviting him for a speedy return next year. However, due to sustainable practices, lesser and lesser idols are immersed in seawater these days.

Ganesha is the lord of new beginnings and also the remover of obstacles. It is believed that during the visarjan the idol takes away all the hurdles and dissolves them from your life.

Where to stay in Mumbai if you're visiting during Ganesh Chaturthi

1. Trident Bandra Kurla

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Located in the business district, this is the perfect property if you wish to mix business with pleasure when in Mumbai. The hotel is close to not only the US Embassy and the BKC offices but also the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre and countless restaurants. Trident Bandra Kurla also includes three restaurants and a bakery. Unwind at the 24-hour fitness center, swim some laps in the outdoor pool, or book a relaxing treatment at the hotel spa when here.

2. Hotel Sea Princess

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Enjoy a prime location directly on Juhu Beach when you stay at the exceptional Hotel Sea Princess. Catch the perfect sunset from the open-air Beach Club overlooking the Arabian Sea. The rooms are exquisitely designed and feature 24-hour room service. The suites offer exceptional sea views and include balconies that offer a birds-eye view of the Ganpati visarjan ceremony. Hotel Sea Princess includes a nightclub, outdoor pool, and a fitness center.

3. Sahara Star Hotel

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It is hard to miss the globular Sahara Stay Hotel as you exit the international airport, right next door. With six meeting rooms and a dedicated business center, this is a first-class choice for business travelers to Mumbai. It also includes a Theatre with Doly Digital surround sound and can easily accommodate 40 guests. When you wish to go sightseeing, Shree Siddhivinayak Temple is just a quick 25-minute cab ride away.

4. Citizen Hotel

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The seafront Citizen Hotel is an exceptional choice for visitors on a holiday in Mumbai. And when you wish to sample the famous Mumbai street food, you can simply walk down the beach to the food stalls at Juhu Chowpatty. Begin each day with a complimentary breakfast as you watch the waves rolling onto the shore. Enjoy drinks and a meal at the al fresco Sea Side Patio before walking down for a late-night beach walk.

5. The Fern Goregaon

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This property guarantees exceptional service at affordable prices for travelers visiting Mumbai. The rooms comfortably accommodate three guests and include a sitting area. Guests can choose from an extensive international menu at Fleur or choose to dine in the privacy of their own room. The restaurant is open until midnight, while in-room dining is available round the clock.

Festival season is the best time to visit Mumbai

Festivals in India are about community, food, and vibrant decorations no matter where you travel. In Mumbai, Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated with much fervor that definitely needs to be experienced. Book your tickets and make the most of your holiday with Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai.