MUMBAI, INDIA, September 18, 2015 (Hindustan Times): The wait’s finally over. Ganeshotsav begins on Thursday, enlivening the already vibrant spirit of Mumbai. Months of arduous labor and fine skills of thousands of artists, sculptors and decorators will be on display for the next 11 days. With larger-than-life statues and magnificent pandals lighting up Mumbai, the popular themes this year are environment, mythology and popular culture. As Mumbai commemorates the homecoming of its favourite Deity, there are several must-visit pandals:
The Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli. Mumbaicharaja, the oldest mandal in the area, has housed the statue in a setting that resembles the Bajrangbali temple in Gujarat’s Sarangpur. “The 22-foot Deity is wearing a 11 lb. gold necklace and the hands and feet are sculpted from 6.6 lbs of gold. The rest of the statue is made with plaster of Paris (PoP),” said Swapnil Parab, secretary, Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal.
Keshavji Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaum. Besides being the oldest in the city, the mandal is also one of the few that has not missed celebrating the festival even once. Apart from its centenary year, the celebrations have always been low key. “This year, we have used handmade paper for the statue and have tried our best to celebrate the festival in a simple and eco-friendly way,” said Jitendra Chothe, secretary of the mandal. “We are concentrating more on rituals rather than making the procession fancy,” he said.
The full review of 10 pandals including locations, special features and additional information is available at ‘source’ above along with must see photos.