Mumbai and Ganesh Festival!

City of Mumbai is one of the most populated and visited in the country. Being the Financial Capital of the country, the city witnesses the fluctuations of inbound and outbounds continuously.

Also known as the cosmopolitan city, admiring the unity of different cultures, communities and the vibrant festivals is something that makes this city stand apart. This coastal city celebrates roughly 50/60 major festivals every year leaving the small and community based festivals aside.

Among all of the other festivals that the city celebrates, one of the festivals that the entire city awaits for is none other than Ganeshotsav aka the Ganesh Chaturthi. A religious festival started during the era of the British Empire as an influential public gathering to fight for freedom is today an important event that showcases the true culture, the uniformity and the crazy madness among the people awaiting to welcome Bappa in their homes, societies or in the different areas of the city is currently too high!

Earlier as a small kid I never really understood the importance and value of this festival. All I used to be excited about was having 5 days of holidays in school and being at home enjoying the vacation at a wholesome level.

Sooner than never I grew up and started my new journey towards college and studying in the city side. This suburban girl understood what the Ganesh Festival means to Mumbai and how 3-4 months before the festival people start gearing up to welcome Lord Ganesha most lovingly and heartily they ever could!

In this blog, I would like to acknowledge you with certain facts and information that made me astonished and gave me goosebumps at the same time. Also, it’s just one day to embark on the journey of Mumbai’s favourite festival, hence get prepared for some amazing information below.

Reasons to experience Ganeshotsav in Mumbai: 

Community Bonding: 

In a city like Mumbai, where people from different backgrounds, cultures and communities live together. It’s that peculiar essence of the festival that brings all the Mumbaikars together and when it comes to Ganeshotsav people forget their religion and welcome Bappa with all their hearts and immerse themselves in serving the Lord Ganesha with hardcore devotion.

Artistic Expressions: 

During the festival of Ganesotsav, the entire city of Mumbai lights up just like Diwali. Eventually, the city celebrates the Festival of Light twice a year, during Ganesotsav and the actual festival of Diwali. You will be able to see lively pandals, colourful decorations and attractive idols of the lord that will surely leave you in amazement. This year experienced all of it.  

Spirit of Giving: 

Ganesh Festival in the city of Mumbai is all about serving and giving the lord all your love and devotion. The reason is that the lord is known as the whole and sole caretaker of the city, hence various pandals organise charity camps like Blood Donation drives, distribution of food to the needy and so much more. You can participate in these initiatives and show your faith towards the festival as well as the Ganpati Bappa. 

Spiritual Connection: 

Mumbaikars and their connections with Lord Ganesha are older than a decade. In the upcoming 10 days, you will be able to see everyone around you visiting pandals and praying to Bappa for their well-being. This social connection is definitely satisfying to observe in the city of bustling.

Cultural Pride: 

Surely Ganeshotsav is way more than a festival of the city, it’s a culture that Mumbaikars wait for the entire year. It’s a true symbol of the city’s modernity with a blend of traditional culture and the key factor of inclusivity is something that you cannot restrict yourself from. As times come near, feeling the butterflies in your stomach and getting anxious because of happiness is quite a common phenomenon. 

Things to do during Ganeshotsav in Mumbai

Procession Watching: 

During Ganeshotsav in Mumbai, the procession plays an important role. The procession of welcoming and bidding bye to Bappa is a blissful scene to watch. Thousands and lakhs of devotees come on the roads of the city to enjoy the festival. Dancing, chanting the name of Bappa and feeling goosebumps when it comes to the sea off Bappa as he immerses in the ocean with a sign of visiting next year and being caretaker of the city no matter what. 

Pandal Hopping: 

Mumbai has some of the greatest and most magnificent pandals in the city. This festive season undergoes pandal hopping and visit various traditional and most visited Ganpati Pandals in the city. Some of the must-visit Pandals listed in the city include Lalbaughcha Raja, Girgoancha Raja, GSB Seva Mandal, Khetwadicha Ganraj, Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, Fortcha Icchapurti Ganesh Mandal and the list goes on and on!

Food Delights: 

No festival is complete without cravings for some delicious snacks and sweets. Do not forget to offer Modak to Bappa and savour yourself on the same as being the favourite dish of the lord. You just cannot restrict yourself from tasting the different flavours and varieties of Modak. From chocolate, coconut, Rava to boiled you name it and you have it available in the market. 

Art and Decor Exhibitions: 

Attend art exhibitions showcasing the work of local artists and artisans. You can also explore decorative items related to the festival which are very attractive to watch and mesmerising in itself. From roads, and streets to societies, gardens and public properties everything gets lit up and there probably couldn’t be a better view to make you fall in love with the city. 

Ganapati Bappa is arriving in just 2 days or in most pandals of the city it has almost arrived! Gear up to witness the city in its best version ever. To the people who have never witnessed the festival, probably this is the best time. The 10-day festival will win over your heart!  

I’m totally excited to visit various pandals and savour the sweetness of Modak! Let me know in the comments what is that one thing which is your favourite when it comes to Ganeshotsav.