25 September,2026 01:20 AM IST | Mumbai | Tarun Verma
Khetwadicha Ganraj grabs Mid-Day`s best pandal competiton (File pic)
Khetwadi Cha Ganraj pandal has won the top spot bagging in Mid-Day's Ganeshotsav 2026 Best Pandal Contest after securing the highest number of online votes from readers.
Khetwadi Cha Ganraj secured 785 votes, followed by Girgaoncha Raja with 708, and Shree Siddhivinayak Krupa Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Sion with 248 votes.
The top three finishers were selected through Mid-Day Ganeshotsav 2026 readers' voting, with readers choosing pandals that stood out for their decorations, themes, cultural messaging, and overall presentation.
The contest received 2,482 total votes, with 14 pandals shortlisted for the final round. Voting was open from September 14 to September 25.
Khetwadi Cha Ganraj, one of Mumbai's prominent Ganeshotsav mandals, finished as the winner after a closely contested voting process. Its pandal at 12th Khetwadi Lane, near Earth View Building, Mumbai, featured a journey through the Warkari tradition of Pandharpur. The theme highlighted the centuries-old tradition of Warkaris undertaking the sacred Wari while focusing on devotion, faith, equality, and their unwavering love for Lord Vitthal.
Speaking to Mid-Day after securing first place, Viren Patel from Khetwadi Cha Ganraj said, "785 votes means 785 blessings for us. For Khetwadicha Ganraj, this is not just a number. It shows people's love and trust.
Khetwadi is known for its height and creativity, and this award from Mid-Day and the people of Mumbai motivates our entire youth team to work even harder."
Highlighting the hard work and attention to detail involved in creating the Ganesh pandal, Patel said, "It is very hard work and a complete team effort. People see only 10 days of Ganeshotsav, but our work starts around three-four months before the festival." "More than 100 karyakartas work day and night to create this magic, and since the last 15 days, we all have been living in the pandal."
Girgaoncha Raja grabs 704 votes (File pic)
In a very tight race to the top spot, Girgaoncha Raja remained close to Khetwadicha Ganraj in the readers' contest, making the race for the top position one of the closely watched contests of this year's competition.
Celebrating its historic 99th year, Girgaoncha Raja at Nikadwari Lane, Khadilkar Road, Girgaon, featured a Krishna Temple-themed pandal this year. The design drew inspiration from the spiritual ambience, traditional character, and architectural grandeur associated with South Indian temple culture.
The theme complemented the mandal's iconic 22-foot eco-friendly Shadu Mitti Ganpati idol, which weighs more than 3.5 tonnes, creating a devotional setting while maintaining a visually imposing presentation.
Speaking to Mid-Day after securing the second position in the contest, Shreekant Kale from Girgaoncha Raja Mandal said, "Receiving more than 700 votes is very special for us because it reflects the love and appreciation of people beyond those who physically visit our Mandal."
Asked what prompted the mandal to enter the competition, Kale said, "We came across Mid-Day's Best Pandal Competition while following their Ganeshotsav coverage."
"Since Girgaoncha Raja is celebrating its historic 99th year, we felt this was a good opportunity to present our journey," Kale added.
Girgaoncha Raja pandal is located at Nikadwari Lane, Khadilkar Road, Girgaon, Mumbai.
Shree Siddhivinayak Krupa Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav secures 3rd position (File pic)
Located at Building No 13, Shree Siddhivinayak Krupa Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Sion finished third with 248 votes. The pandal featured a theme centred on the preservation and importance of the Marathi language.
Its message emphasised that a mother tongue is more than just a language and described it as a connection to identity, family, and culture. The theme also highlighted how understanding a local language can help people engage more deeply with their history and culture.
Namdev Sathe, president of Shree Siddhivinayak Krupa Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, said the recognition was particularly meaningful as it reflected the response to the pandal's message.
"We are extremely happy and grateful for this recognition. Thank you to everyone who voted for our Bappa and to Mid-Day for giving us this opportunity to showcase our celebration to Mumbai."
Highlighting the significance of this year's pandal, Sathe added, "Our theme this year was a tribute to the Marathi language and our cultural roots. Seeing so many people stand behind our message through their votes has made this recognition even more special."
He added, "We sincerely thank Mid-Day and every voter who supported our Bappa and our cause."
