Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

Any conversation about the culture and traditions of Mumbai would be incomplete without mentioning Ganesh Chaturthi. Lord Ganesh Festival or Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh, the son of Shiva and Parvathy. Devotees believe that the lord will bestow his presence upon them during this occasion. In Mumbai, Ganesh Utsav is celebrated in almost every household with great pride, faith and zeal.

Lord Ganesha plays a vital role in Hinduism. As the god of prosperity, wealth and knowledge, devotees invoke his blessings before starting any critical venture in life. Ganesha is also referred to by different names like Vinayaka, Vighnaharta and Gajanana, which is why the festival is also called Vinayaka Chaturthi. The history of the occasion dates back to the reign of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The Peshwas were devotees of Ganesha and they started the celebration of the Ganesh festival in Pune. It was observed in the rest of Maharashtra as well until the British Raj banned public celebrations. Later, Lokmanya Tilak, the social reformer and freedom fighter, revived the festival and it returned to being a public celebration. Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is a wholesome event as people across the city come together in devotion to Lord Ganesha. It is that cherished time of the year when people are filled with hope for a prosperous and promising future.

Lord Ganesh Festival falls during the months of August and September. It lasts for ten days, during which time devotees pray to the Lord Ganesh idol in their homes. The celebrations come to an end on the fourteenth day of the waxing moon, known as Anant Chaturdashi.

A grand farewell procession takes place after ten days where devotees chant “Ganapati Bappa Moraya” and dance to the beat of drums while carrying an idol of Lord Ganesh to the nearest water body. The idol is then immersed in water signalling his return to his heavenly abode.

Join in this glorious celebration by visiting the numerous pandals and temples across Mumbai. The Orchid Hotel Mumbai, Vile Parle offers comfortable accommodations where you can have a peaceful sojourn as you plan your trips to different Lord Ganesh venues. Our hotel in Mumbai is just a short drive away from Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, which is one of the oldest Ganesh pandals in the city. We recommend the Orchid Suite in Vile Parle as the best place to stay near Mumbai airport. This way, you can evade the dreaded traffic in the city and have a smooth travel experience as you set out to explore Ganesh Festival in Mumbai.