Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Devotees in Mumbai Throng Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbaicha Raja and Temples

Ganesh Chaturthi is being celebrated with immense enthusiasm and religious fervour across India, particularly in Maharashtra, as devotees welcomed beautifully crafted idols of Lord Ganesha into their homes and public pandals on Monday, September 14, marking the beginning of the 10-day festival.

Across cities, elaborate decorations, illuminated pandals, devotional rituals and cultural programmes have added to the festive atmosphere, with devotees offering prayers, flowers, sweets and other traditional offerings to Lord Ganesha.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, who is revered as the deity of wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings and is traditionally invoked before important undertakings.

The celebrations will culminate in Anant Chaturdashi on September 25, when devotees traditionally bid farewell to the deity through immersion processions.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maharashtra

The origin of Ganesh Chaturthi in its present public form in Maharashtra is traced to Keshavji Nayak Chawl in Girgaum, Mumbai, where freedom fighter Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak began the first 'sarvajanik' Ganeshotsav in 1893. The initiative was aimed at bringing people together and garnering public support for India's freedom struggle.

However, the Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Trust maintains that the public celebration of Ganeshotsav in Pune was started by Bhausaheb Rangari in 1892, making the origins of the public festival a matter of historical significance for both Mumbai and Pune.

In Pune, the arrival ceremony of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati, regarded as Hindustan's first public Ganpati, began amid the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha and witnessed the participation of a large number of devotees.

Special prayers were also performed at the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Temple as part of the celebrations.

Ganeshotsav celebrations in Mumbai

Mumbai has come alive with the arrival of Lord Ganesha as Ganeshotsav 2026 began across the city. Devotees welcomed Bappa into their homes and gathered at some of the city's most iconic Ganesh pandals to seek blessings.

Dazzling lights and elaborate decorations have given a festive appearance to several prominent Ganesh pandals and temples, including Lalbaugcha Raja, Tejukaya Mandal, Ganesh Gully, GSB Seva Mandal at Matunga-King's Circle, Andheri-cha-Raja, Shri Bal Gopal Ganesh Utsav Mandal at Marine Lines, Kethwadi 11th Lane, Kethwadi 12th Lane, GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Samiti in Wadala, Sahyadri Mandal in Tilak Nagar-Chembur and Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal in Fort.

Thousands of devotees are visiting the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Long queues were seen outside the famous pandal as devotees patiently waited for Bappa's darshan.

Mumbaicha Raja at Ganesh Galli is another major attraction during Ganeshotsav and has also begun drawing large crowds of devotees.

The renowned Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai has also been magnificently decorated for the festival, adding to the festive and devotional atmosphere in the city.

The festival has transformed Mumbai into a sea of devotion, with chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya", dhol-tasha performances and colourful decorations adding to the festive atmosphere.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Nagpur

In Nagpur, a large number of devotees gathered at the famous Ganesh Tekdi Temple. Devotees stood in long queues to offer prayers and seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha for happiness, prosperity, peace and overall well-being.

The temple premises have been witnessing a deeply devotional atmosphere since morning, with the surrounding area echoing with chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" as devotees arrived to pay obeisance to the deity.

A devotee, speaking to IANS, said, "This 10-day festival is ongoing, and there is a huge rush. Our main intention is to ensure that every devotee gets proper darshan, and we have made arrangements accordingly. We have set up separate queues for men and women. For elderly people, we have arranged e-rickshaws and EV vehicles so they can be transported from there to here."

Another devotee spoke about the spiritual significance of the festival and the joy surrounding the celebrations.

"We came here for Ganesh Chaturthi and had darshan at the temple. The atmosphere here is so joyful and pleasant. The true essence of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Lord Ganesha relieves us of our troubles and brings us happiness. Similarly, in our own lives, we should aim to spread happiness to others rather than causing them pain," the devotee added.

Special arrangements in Mumbai

With lakhs of devotees expected to visit major pandals during the festival, Mumbai authorities have made extensive arrangements for crowd management, security, traffic and public convenience.

More than 16,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city to maintain law and order and manage the crowds during the festival. Additional senior police officers have also been deployed at key locations.

The BMC has also put special arrangements in place across Lalbaug and Parel, including crowd-control measures, additional sanitation facilities, drinking water and emergency services.

Ganeshotsav 2026 celebrations

Ganesh Chaturthi marks the beginning of the 10-day Ganeshotsav, which will culminate with Anant Chaturdashi and the immersion of Lord Ganesha idols.

Across Mumbai, several iconic Ganesh mandals, including Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbaicha Raja, Parel Cha Raja, Chintamani and Andhericha Raja, are expected to attract thousands of devotees during the festival.

The festivities will continue until September 25, with Mumbai expected to remain immersed in celebrations, devotion and the spirit of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" throughout the festival.