Mumbai’s tallest eco-friendly Ganpati? Girgaon Cha Raja turns 99 with 24-foot clay idol

The first look event will offer devotees and the media a glimpse of Girgaon Cha Raja 2026 ahead of the Ganeshotsav celebrations. File Pic

Mumbai's popular Girgaon Cha Raja, one of the city's prominent and long-standing Ganesh mandals, will unveil its first look for Ganeshotsav 2026 on Thursday, September 10, as the Nikadwari Lane Sarvajanik Shree Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaon, enters its historic 99th year.

This year, the mandal will welcome devotees with an approximately 24-foot-tall, 3.5-tonne eco-friendly Ganesh idol, the tallest eco-friendly Ganesh idol in Mumbai.

The 2026 celebrations mark an important milestone for the mandal as it begins its journey towards its centenary year in 2027. The mandal has planned several initiatives as part of the celebrations, while continuing its focus on an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav.

Dating back to 1928, Girgaon Cha Raja has been part of Mumbai's Ganeshotsav tradition for nearly a century. The mandal is particularly known for its longstanding commitment to celebrating Ganeshotsav with traditional Shadu Mati idols, a practice that has become central to its identity. Its commitment to environmentally conscious celebrations has also been recognised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mann Ki Baat.

The artistic tradition behind the idol is closely connected with the four-generation legacy of the renowned Patkar family of Murtikars. Today, this tradition is carried forward by eminent sculptor Rajan Vishnupant Patkar. His work reflects a powerful combination of devotion, traditional craftsmanship, precision and continuity across generations.

Girgaon Cha Raja has also been associated with notable record achievements. These include the biggest Lord Shree Ganpati idol made from Shadu Mitti (clay), the largest height and heaviest traditional Maharashtrian Pheta (turban), and the biggest modak made using traditional ingredients such as besan.

Ganesh Lingayat, Trust Secretary, Nikadwari Lane Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, organisers of Girgaon Cha Raja, said, "Girgaon Cha Raja is an emotion carried forward by generations of families and devotees. For nearly a century, people have come to Girgaon to celebrate Ganeshotsav and seek Bappa's blessings. As we enter our 99th year, we recognise that many devotees may be living outside Mumbai or may not be able to visit the pandal. Through our association with Sri Mandir App, they can participate in the puja, chadhava, name sankalp, and seva from wherever they are, while the celebrations at the pandal continue with the traditions Girgaon Cha Raja has followed for generations. This allows more devotees to remain part of the celebration without changing what has made it special for all these years."

The mandal is also set to launch the third official song of Girgaon Cha Raja as part of this year's celebrations.

South Mumbai has long been home to some of Mumbai's most prominent and celebrated Ganpati mandals, drawing thousands of devotees during Ganeshotsav. Among the well-known idols in the area are Girgaon Cha Raja, Keshavji Naik Chawl Ganpati, Khetwadi Cha Ganraj, Mumbaicha Raja in Lalbaug, Lalbaugcha Raja, Ganesh Galli Cha Raja, and Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani, each with its own history, traditions and devoted following.