Sahyadri krida mandal, Tilak nagar

In 1977 Sahyadri Krida Mandal a small-time sports club started a Sarvajanik Ganesh utsav in Tilak Nagar, Chembur.

History: In 1977 Sahyadri Krida Mandal a small-time sports club started a Sarvajanik Ganesh utsav in Tilak Nagar, Chembur. In 1980, the mandal decided to shift the utsav to a nearby municipality ground, which added popularity to the festival. The mandal is well known for its creative decorative sets. Various art directors like Sudhakar Manjarekar, Roderick D'souza and others have decorated the sets over the years.

Ashok Satardekar is the secretary of the mandal.

Help line: The mandal along with the local police set up security counters at both the entrances. Apart from that there are no stalls or help lines.
Facilities: Prasad and water facility is arranged by the mandal for all devotees.

Peak hours: 3pm-2am

Security: Eight to ten CCTV cameras are installed in the ground and the local police provide essential help. "No pick-pocketing cases have ever been encountered for past 33 years", says a proud secretary.

Specialty: Gigantic decoration sets like replica of Pune's historic palace called Shaniwar Wada, Mysore palace and Red fort, and the Bollywood glamour is what brings people to this utsav. Celebrities like Anil Kapoor; who has spent his childhood in Tilak Nagar, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty even form a line to visit the lord. Apart from ganesh utsav, the mandal has raised funds for Kargil war. They also indulge in other social activities like Sarvajanik Holi, felicitating merit rankers and many other events.

How to get there: Nearest railway station is Tilak Nagar. Best bus nos: 353 and 385

Previous: No 1. Nikadvari Lane Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaon

Next: No 3. Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav mandal, Ganeshgalli