Ganesh Chaturthi In Mumbai: The Ultimate Guide And The Best Pandals To Visit

Let’s skip straight to the important dates for Ganesh Visarjan 2025, including the dry days and holidays!

27 August and 6 September are when you can expect to get turned away from bars because of Ganesh Chaturthi and Anant Chaturdashi.

28 August is a one-and-a-half-day immersion

29 August is the three-day Visarjan

31 August is the five-day Visarjan

2 September is the seven-day Visarjan

6 September is the all-important 10th day of Visarjan

6 September is Anant Chaturdashi

What do all these dates mean? These are the days that will be the worst for traffic, especially for those looking to enjoy a quiet moment at home or concentrate at the office. We recommend being prepared with noise-cancelling headphones, especially during Anant Chaturdashi—the festival's biggest day, when you can expect millions of people on the streets.

Lalbaugcha Raja is the biggest Ganesh pandal in town. This procession will begin on the last day of the festival and wind its way to the following points: Lalbaug, Bharat Mata Theatre, Sane Guruji Marg, Byculla Railway Station, Clare Road, Nagpada, Dunkan Road, Don Taki, Sant Sena Maharaj Marg, Suthar Gully, Madhav Baug, C.P. Tank, V.P. Road, Opera House and Girgaon Chowpatti. If you plan to visit, be prepared to stand for more than five hours for blessings.

How to Reach: Get down at Lower Parel, Curry Road, or Cotton Green station and take a taxi to reach here. If you are driving, just cruise down the Eastern Express Highway for a smooth ride.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: 5 AM to 1 PM and 8 PM to 10 PM

Aarti Timing: 12:30 PM and 8 PM

Pro-Tip: You’ll need a VIP pass to attend the aarti, which you can get by signing up on their official website.

Mumbaicha Raja is well-known for its creative decorations, primarily based on the themes of temples or historical monuments across India. Their immersion will start on the last day of the festival and cover the following points: Dr. S.S. Rao Road, Ganesh Cinema, Chinchpokli Bridge, Arthur Road Corner, Saat Rasta, Sane Guruji Marg, Agreepada, Dr. Bhadkamkar Marg, Opera House, Willson College, and Girgaon Chowpatty. Devotees can expect a waiting time of two to three hours, and peak times continue from 3 PM to 12 AM.

How to Reach: Hop off at the Currey Road station, from where you can walk to the pandal, just 600 m away.

Best Time To Visit: Any time of the day

Entry Fee: Free

LBB Tip: Typically, wearing half pants and short skirts is not permitted and is often frowned upon, so we recommend dressing appropriately for the occasion.

This Ganesh idol is only present for the first half of the festivities, so go check it out early. Famous for its lavish presentation with real gold and silver ornaments, be prepared to be dazzled by the decorations and grandeur of this pandal. You can even drop by the food stalls, which are open in the evenings, for some tasty Maharashtrian snacks.

How to Reach: Get off at the King's Circle station and walk for 10 minutes to reach here.

Best Time To Visit: 6 AM to 11 PM

Entry Fee: Free

LBB Tip: Since many places around the pandal may not accept cards, it is handy to have some cash on hand.

Andheri people! Don’t feel left out of the action. Andhericha Raja covers the following points: Azad Nagar II, Veera Desai Road, J P Road Amboli, S V Road, Andheri Market, Navrang Cinema, Sony Mony, Apna Bazar, Indian Oil Nagar Junction, Four Bungalows, Seven Bungalows, Versova Bus Depot, and the Versova village. Evenings can be hectic during the festival, so plan your commute with caution. Expect a tall Ganesha idol with an innovative theme and beautiful lighting here. The immersion procession is on Sankashti Day, five days after Anant Chaturdashi. This is the only idol to be immersed on this day.

How to Reach: Get off at the Azad Nagar Subway Station and take an auto to reach here.

Entry Fee: Fee

Best Time To Visit: 5 AM to 12 PM

Pro-Tip: You can even do live darshan on this page in case you cannot visit the pandal.

Khetwadi Ganraj is possibly one of the oldest pandals in the city. Established in 1959 by the 12th Khetwadi S.G.M., this pandal also hosts a variety of religious performances and cultural programs during the duration of the Ganesh festival. One of the most active neighbourhoods when it comes to the festival, neighbouring societies also host their own idols that you can check out while you're here.

How to Reach: Get off at Charni Road or Grant Road station. From there, it is a short taxi ride of around 10 minutes to the temple.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: During the day

Pro-Tip: Watch Bappa live here.

Known as Chintamani, the wish-fulfilling jewel, this pandal is not just about stunning decorations and a lifelike murti, though, trust us, those alone will leave you speechless. What makes this place truly special is the crowd of devotees with tears in their eyes, dancing in the frenzy of Bappa. This pandal is also associated with social service, donating over 60% of the money collected to the cause. 

How to Reach: Get down at the Chinchpokli railway station or take the Eastern Express Highway if travelling by car. 

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: Any time of the day

Aarti Timing: During the evening

LBB Tip: Wear comfortable shoes and clothes because you are in for a lively crowd experience.

Gracing Mumbai with his presence since 1928, Girgaon Cha Raja is the grandest and most beloved eco-friendly Bappa in the city. This iconic pandal draws its inspiration from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Lokmanya Tilak, and Swatantrya Veer Savarkar. Every moment here is infused with a deep sense of national pride, social harmony, and an unwavering devotion to Lord Ganesha. It is an experience that will tug at your heartstrings and leave you feeling deeply connected to divinity.

How to Reach: Get down at the Charni Road station and walk for about 10 minutes to reach here.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: Any time of the day

The Fort Vibhag Ganesh Utsav Pandal is a must-visit during Ganesh Chaturthi. They mix traditional vibes with Mumbai’s rich history, and their pandal designs are jaw-dropping, giving you a fun throwback to the past. What’s even better? Their celebrations are all about bringing people together and celebrating unity. It is the kind of place where you instantly feel a part of something amazing and unforgettable. 

How to Reach: Take a local train to CST and walk towards the pandal, which is just 350 m away.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: 7 AM to 12 PM

Want to experience Ganesh Chaturthi in its most traditional form? Keshavji Naik Chawl is where it all began. Set up in 1893, this was the first public pandal in Mumbai, inaugurated by Bal Gangadhar Tilak himself. The Ganesh idol here isn't too fancy, but simple and ritualistic, which is what sets it apart from the glitzy setups you'll see elsewhere in the city. It's the kind of place where generations of families still come together, keeping the old-school charm alive.

How to Reach: Get down at the Charni Road station, and take a taxi to reach here.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: Any time of the day

Sahyadri Krida Mandal is known for larger-than-life themes, as in the past, they've recreated everything from Varanasi's ghats to Kung Fu Panda's village. The Ganpati idol is always grand with detailed decor and rich storytelling. They have always focused hugely on eco-friendly celebrations and have been doubling down on it in recent years as well. If you're looking for a unique Ganpati darshan experience, this one's worth a visit.

How to Reach: Get down at the Tilak Nagar or Chembur Station and take an auto to reach here.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: 9 AM to 3 PM

Kamathipura Cha Chintamani is one of those pandals that surprises you every single year. A few years ago, the Ganpati was seated on a massive horse, and ever since then, the stunning displays have continued. They also put a lot of energy into social work, from running free medical camps to distributing food and blankets. The vibe here is always buzzing with devotion and energy. Come for the grandeur, stay for the atmosphere.

How to Reach: If you're coming here by train, Mumbai Central and Byculla are the closest stations where you can get down.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: 10 AM to 1 PM

Akhil Chandanwadi Ganeshotsav Mandal has been a part of Mumbai's festive fabric for over 40 years, and you might recognise them as 'God Ganpati'. The idol here is called 'Navsacha Ganpati', all thanks to its reputation for fulfilling wishes. The vibe here is deeply spiritual, and devotees come back year after year to offer prayers. Darshan here feels very personal and powerful, and we highly recommend visiting this pandal.

How to Reach: Get down at the Marine Lines station and simply walk here.

Entry Fee: Free

Best Time to Visit: Any time of the day