Lalbaughcha Raja Darshan in 2021!

Every year, Mumbaikars invite Lord Ganesha into their hearts, homes and city.

And, each year, He arrives in various sizes for Mumbai's favourite festival, that is celebrated with a lot of joy and fervour.

Lalbaughcha Raja is one of Mumbai's most popular Ganesh pandals. He is also known as the Navasacha Ganpati (the fulfiller of wishes). People visit this pandal with the hope that their heart's desire will be granted.

Last year, for the first time in its 88-year-old history, the pandal cancelled its traditional celebration and used the funds to help with COVID relief.

This year, Lalbaughcha Raja is back and will give darshan to His devotees from September 10 to September 19.

One of the tallest idols in the city, it has been made by the Kambli family since 1935.

Parts of the idol are made at their workshop in Lalbaug, central Mumbai, and assembled at the venue.

The preparation for creating the idol begins with the padya pujan (worshipping the foot) of the idol.

At an auspicious time, weeks before the festival begins, a single foot that forms the beginning of the idol is worshipped.

This year, the puja took place at 6 am on August 10.

After the puja, work on the idol begins at the Kambli family workshop.

Please click on the images for a better look at the padya pujan ceremony.

All photographs: Arun Patil
Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com