From Eco-Friendly Bappas To Chandrayaan-2 : Here Are The Most Interesting Ganpati Pandal Themes of 2019
The festival the city of Mumbai awaits an entire year for is finally here and even though it’s raining constantly, Mumbaikars are out offering their prayers to their favourite Bappas! Having said that, hats off to the mandals who work tirelessly to introduce new themes and ideas while creating their Ganpati statues each year. Here’s a look at some of the most spectacular and uniquely-themed Ganpati pandals of 2019 which will have you chanting, "Ganpati Bappa Morya!"
1. Lalbaugcha Raja Goes To The Moon
Image Courtesy: Facebook/Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
One of the most popular pandals, Lalbaugcha Raja seems to be the most tech-savvy Bappa in the city. This year, the theme is based on Chandrayaan-2 moon landing so the Pandal has a screen as a background which projects images of space. The Bappa, known as the wish-fulfilling Ganpati, also has two floating astronauts giving him company.
Location: Lalbaug market, GD Ambedkar Road, Lalbaug (Central Mumbai)
Nearest Train Station: Parel
2. Mumbaicha Raja Transports You To Ayodhya
Image Courtesy: Facebook/ Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal [Mumbaicha Raja], Ganesh Galli
The Ganesh Galli Bappa is the oldest Ganpati Pandal in the city and is much revered by devotees. This year, the theme pays tribute to Lord Ram and a 22-feet tall Ram Mandir has been erected. Stories of Lord Ram have also been painted along the walls of the pandal.
Location: Ganesh Galli (Lane), Lalbaug (central Mumbai)
Nearest Train Station: Chinchpokli and Currey Road
3. Khetwadicha Ganraj Sits On Manikarnika’s Throne
Image Courtesy: Facebook/Khetwadi Cha Ganraj
This pandal is known for having created the tallest Ganesh idol in history – 40 feet in height! The Bappa has also won many awards and accolades over the years. This year, the Bappa sits on a throne similar to the one shown in the film Manikarnika.
Location: 12th Lane Khetwadi, Girgaum
Nearest Train Station: Charni Road and Sandhurst Road
4. Andhericha Raja Takes You To Ujjain
Image Courtesy: Facebook/Andhericha Raja
What Lalbaug is to South Mumbai, Andhericha Raja is to the suburbs. In 1966, workers of a tobacco company, Tata Special Steel and Excel Industries Ltd, started this pandal. This year’s them is the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga of Ujjain. According to Hindustan Times, the mandal representatives took special permissions to click pictures of the temple, so that it could be recreated here in Mumbai.
Location: Veera Desai Road, Azad Nagar, Andheri
Nearest Train Station: Andheri and DN Nagar Metro Station
5. GSB Seva Ganesh Glitters With Gold
Image Courtesy: Instagaram/sprabhu21
This pandal, started by the GSB community that resides in Matunga, is considered the richest pandal in the city with an idol made adorned with 60 kgs of gold! Interestingly, this year, the pandal has installed three plastic crushers in the premises.
Location: GSB Sports Club Ground, King’s Circle, Matunga
Nearest Train Station: Kings Circle and Matunga
6. Tejukayacha Raja Goes Eco-friendly 
Image Courtesy: Facebook/Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Trust
This year’s Tejukaya Bappa has gone completely eco-friendly. It is made out of papier mache and is about 19 x 19 feet. Lalbaug's Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Trust organises Tejukayacha Raja Pandal every year and this time in order for it to be tallest and eco-friendly, it took about Rs 12 lakh to make this idol. It took about seven months to make the idol, and work on it began in November, last year.
Location: Tejukaya Mansion, Dr. Ambedkar Road
Nearest Train Station: Currey Road
News Source: Hindustan Times
