27 July,2026 10:37 AM IST | Mumbai | Anushree Gaikwad
With preparations now officially underway across major mandals, devotees can expect weeks of cultural, religious and community celebrations. File Pic
With less than two months to go before Ganeshotsav 2026, Mumbai's most revered Ganesh mandals have begun their traditional pre-festival rituals, marking the ceremonial start of preparations for the city's biggest cultural and religious celebration.
From Mumbai Cha Raja and Lalbaugcha Raja to Chintamani and Tejukaya, several prominent mandals have performed their customary rituals, signalling the beginning of weeks of planning before Lord Ganesha arrives in September.
The Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal's Mumbai Cha Raja will hold its Padya Pujan ceremony on the auspicious occasion of Guru Purnima, which falls on Wednesday, July 29, 2026.
Celebrating its 98th year, the mandal traditionally marks the beginning of its Ganeshotsav preparations with Padya Pujan, a sacred ritual involving the ceremonial washing and worship of the deity's feet. The ceremony formally inaugurates the festivities and reflects the devotion that has defined the mandal's legacy for nearly a century.
Meanwhile, Chintamani performed its Path Pujan (Sitting Place Ceremony) on Saturday, marking another significant milestone in its Ganeshotsav preparations.
The mandal is celebrating its 107th year of bringing Lord Ganesha's idol to devotees. The ritual sanctifies the place where the idol will be installed, symbolising the beginning of preparations for the annual festival.
Adding to the festive momentum, Tejukaya also conducted its Padya Pujan on Saturday, continuing its long-standing tradition of commencing preparations with sacred rituals before the arrival of Lord Ganesha.
The ceremony is considered an auspicious beginning to the weeks of planning, decoration and idol-making leading up to Ganesh Chaturthi.
One of Mumbai's most celebrated Ganesh mandals, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, has already commenced preparations for its 93rd year.
The mandal performed its annual Ganesh Muhurta Pujan on June 9, 2026, at 5 am, led by Mandal President Balasaheb Sudam Kamble.
During the ceremony, the mandal also performed the customary worship of its donation receipt books under the guidance of Treasurer Mangesh Dattaram Dalvi, a ritual believed to invoke blessings for the smooth conduct of the festival.
This year's Lalbaugcha Raja Ganeshotsav will be celebrated from Monday, September 14, 2026 (Ganesh Chaturthi) to Friday, September 25, 2026 (Anant Chaturdashi).
As Mumbai inches closer to Ganeshotsav, these traditional ceremonies underscore the city's deep-rooted devotion to Lord Ganesha and set the stage for one of India's largest and most anticipated public festivals.
With preparations now officially underway across major mandals, devotees can look forward to weeks of cultural, religious and community celebrations leading up to the grand arrival of Bappa in September.
