Ganpati Celebrations in Mumbai from the Eyes of the Local

by Vijay Patel Vijay Patel

When it comes to celebrating the Ganpati Festival, Mumbaikars know how to do it with style!

Lord Ganesha is considered to be the patron saint of Maharashtra. An average of 6,500 statues of Ganpati are installed in Mumbai every year. He is worshipped both publicly as well as in many homes within the city. The festival in Mumbai transcends all social boundaries and is celebrated with fervour and fanfare!

A Little Bit of History

The festival as it is celebrated today is a remnant of the freedom struggle. Lokmanya Tilak used the festivities as a way to gather large numbers of people in public areas to rally them against the British Raj. What began as a celebration during the era of Chatrapathi Shivaji eventually turned into a unifying celebration that crossed all divides!

5^th September, 2016

This year, Ganesh Chaturti is on 5th September, and preparations are already underway to make this festival special. There are a host of events lined up across the city to make it even more special for our out-of-town guests. Some of the activities people can join include statue decoration, DIY crafts stalls, interesting contests that will test the religious and spiritual knowledge of the devotees and many more.

The end of Ganesh Chaturti celebrations is marked with Visarjan, when the idols are taken to sea and immersed, is truly a spectacle to be hold. The most important places of immersion happen on Chowpatti Beach, but the processions commence early in the morning and last through the day. Screams of Ganpati Bappa Morya fill the air with joy.

Environmentally Friendly

In keeping with the current flavour of eco-friendly festivities, this year, many in Mumbai are planning on keeping eco-friendly statues that can be disposed off easily and will not cause the immediate environment any harm. The hope is that this small step will heap Ganpati’s blessings on not just the city, but on our lives as well.

What is a festival without food? In honour of Ganesha’s legendary love of all things sweet, distribution of sweets and modaks will be done by the residents all across the city. Not only that, the idols that will be erected across Mumbai will also be decked up with lord’s favourites.

In the spirit of religious festivals, storytelling sessions will happen across the temples in the city. Storytellers will delve into some of the myths and beliefs of Ganesha devotees and also focus on the spirit of the festival and what it represents.

For those who have seen images of the festival on the TVs or in the movies, maybe this is the year to celebrate first-hand the joy and fervour of the festival. It will be a one-of-a-kind experience and something to remember for a long time to come. Do stay at Lalco Residency this time to witness the singing and dancing done with genuine passion, devotion, and enthusiasm this Ganpati.

Lalco Residency

Lalco Residency is a conveniniently located luxurious complex of fully furnished serviced apartments set in the heart of suburban Mumbai (Andheri - E) and surrounded by luscious gardens and greenery. LR is an affordable alternative to the expensive hotels of Mumbai, offering the comfort, space and luxury of a private residence with 5-Star amenities.

Our Service Apartments range from one to six bedrooms and are decorated and furnished with elegance and style. LR also offers guests access to a state-of-the-art club house including a swimming pool, tennis court, squash court, badminton court among many other amenities and activities.

Also check more about - Luxury Service Apartments in Mumbai