Ganpati Bappa Morya!
The chanting is already ringing out in the streets, the air is charged with anticipation, and hearts all over Mumbai are beating slightly quicker, for Lalbaugcha Raja, the most iconic Ganpati of the city, is finally here.
The grand unveiling on the evening of August 24 felt less like an event and more like a homecoming. Even though Ganesh Chaturthi officially begins on August 27 and runs through September 6, for many, the festival truly began the moment Bappa’s first look was revealed.
The First Glimpse and Time Stood Still
If you’ve ever waited to catch a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja, you know that the moment the curtain opens isn’t just eye-catching; it’s emotional.
When the rich maroon velvet crept slowly apart, thousands of eyes turned toward the stage, hands folded in reverence. For a second, everything went still. Then came the roar of joy, of love, of prayers whispered and shouted all at once.
This year, Bappa looked divine.
Dressed in a royal purple dhoti and a shimmering maroon pithambar, with a golden mukut (crown) and a chakra in one hand, he radiated strength, calm, and grace all at once.
It wasn’t just the way he looked. It was the feeling. That comforting sense of, “He’s here. Everything’s going to be okay.”
A Palace Fit for a King
The mandap this year? Absolutely breathtaking.
Designed to resemble a magnificent royal palace, it’s adorned with golden pillars, twinkling lights, and ornate carvings that take you back in time. At the center, Bappa perches atop a huge 50-foot throne, not merely observing the crowd but embracing them, as if a king receiving his subjects.
There is something about being there—the lights, the music, the smell of flowers and incense—that makes you forget the world outside. For a couple of minutes, there’s just you and Bappa.
Greater Than Handicraftsmanship: A Symbol of Togetherness
Outside the grandeur of the idol and mandap, this year’s Lalbaugcha Raja has a message, which is no less lovely: togetherness.
In a touching gesture, artists from various communities and faiths, among them numerous Muslim craftsmen, collaborated to make this vision possible. From tailoring the heavy drapes to constructing the intricate set, it was a collaborative effort that represented the very best of what Mumbai is all about.
In a world that’s so divided, times like these serve as a reminder of something basic but strong: faith doesn’t polarize; it unites.
91 Years of Commitment, and Counting
From its humble origins way back in 1934, Lalbaugcha Raja has evolved from being a modest neighborhood ritual to becoming an international phenomenon.
But even after all these years, it’s not the scale or the crowds that matter most. It’s the emotion.
People wait 30, sometimes 40 hours, just to stand before the idol for a few seconds. Why? Because that one moment, one glance, brings peace, hope, and often, tears.
Ask anyone who’s stood in that line, and they’ll tell you, “It’s worth it. Every single time.”
Devotion with a Conscience
This year also marks a shift in how the city celebrates, with a growing focus on eco-friendly practices.
While Lalbaugcha Raja remains in its traditional avatar, houses and groups in Mumbai are increasingly opting for biodegradable idols, which are constructed using eco-paper and other natural materials. The objective is straightforward: celebrate with your heart out, but don’t harm the environment while doing so.
Because Bappa wouldn’t want it any other way.
Mumbai’s Favorite Season Is Here
With Bappa’s unveiling, the city is officially in celebration mode.
Shops are glowing with lights, sweet shops are selling out of modaks, dhol-tasha rehearsals echo through the streets, and families are getting ready to welcome their own Ganpati home.
And whether you visit Lalbaug in person or watch the darshan online from afar, you’ll feel it. That warmth. That thrill. That intangible faith that something greater is at play, looking after us all.
As the countdown reaches its end and the celebrations start, there’s one more thing to say:
Ganpati Bappa Morya! Mangal Murti Morya!
