Mumbai has thousands of Ganpati mandals. But only a few are really old. These old mandals started when Tilak gave the call for public Ganeshotsav in 1893. That was the time of British rule. People needed a reason to come together. And the festival gave them that reason. So the top 10 oldest Ganpati Mandal in Mumbai are not just about darshan. They are about history. Some are over 100 years old.
Some started before your grandfather was born. Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaon is the oldest. It started in 1893. Same year Tilak gave the call. This guide will tell you about these old mandals. Where they are. Why they matter. And what makes them special.
Top 10 Oldest Ganpati Mandal in Mumbai
1. Keshavji Naik Chawl Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Girgaon
This is the oldest Ganpati mandal in Mumbai. It was started in 1893. Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak started the public Ganeshotsav movement that year. His close associates Rao Bahadur Limaye and Godse Shastri set up the mandal at Keshavji Naik Chawl on Khadilkar Road .
The idol is just 2 feet tall. It is made of clay. No loudspeakers. No dhol-tasha. No big decoration. It stays simple. In 1901, Tilak himself visited this chawl during the festival .
2. Chinchpokli Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal (Chintamani)
This mandal was founded in 1920 . The area had many people from the Konkan region who came to Mumbai for work in the textile mills. They started this mandal. The idol is called Chintamani, which means wish-fulfilling jewel . The Aagman Sohala procession of this mandal is very famous.
Read More: Ganesh Chaturthi Events 2026: Best Celebrations And Activities
3. Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, Ganesh Galli (Mumbaicha Raja)
Started in 1928, this mandal is in the Lalbaug area . It is known as Mumbaicha Raja. The mandal is famous for its theme-based decorations. In 1977, it became the first in Maharashtra to have a 22-foot tall idol . In 1945, the idol looked like Subhas Chandra Bose. The theme was so popular that the viewing was extended for 45 days .
4. Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
This is the most famous mandal in Mumbai. It was started in 1932 or 1934 (different sources give different years) . The Koli community and local vendors at Lalbaug market started it after they got their shops back. People believe this Ganpati fulfills wishes. Devotees wait in queues for more than 24 hours for darshan .
5. GSB Seva Mandal, King's Circle
The Gaud Saraswat Brahmin Seva Mandal was started in 1954 or 1955 . It is one of the richest mandals in Mumbai. The idol is decorated with gold and diamonds. The mandal follows eco-friendly traditions. They also have strict dress codes for poojas. Around 75,000 poojas are performed here over five days .
6. Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, Fort
Founded in 1955, this mandal is in South Mumbai's Fort area . It is also known as Fortcha Icchapurti. It is one of the oldest and most respected mandals in the city.
7. Khetwadi Ganraj Ganesh Mandal, Khetwadi
Established in 1959 . This mandal is famous for making tall idols. In 2000, they made a 40-foot idol, the tallest in the festival's history at that time . The idol is decorated with diamonds, even on the trunk .
8. Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samiti, Andheri (Andhericha Raja)
Started in 1966 . It was set up by workers from Golden Tobacco Company, Tata Special Steel, and Excel Industries. These workers had moved from Lalbaug and Parel. The mandal has a unique visarjan tradition. They immerse the idol five days after Anant Chaturdashi. This started in 1975 after workers prayed for a favourable outcome to their strike .
9. Sahyadri Krida Mandal, Chembur
Founded in 1977 as a sports club . Later they started the Sarvajanik Ganesh Utsav. The mandal is known for grand decorations. They make replicas of historic places like Red Fort, Shaniwar Wada, and Mysore Palace.
10. Goud Saraswat Brahmin Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, King's Circle
This is the same GSB Seva Mandal mentioned earlier. The search results show the year as 1954 or 1955 . The main highlight is the gold Ganpati idol. The mandal is known for its disciplined and organised celebrations.
Mumbai Ganpati Mandal List - What You Should Know
- The total number of Ganpati mandals in Mumbai is around 10,600 to 12,000. But only about 2,500 mandals get permission for the full 10-day festival . The rest are smaller societies or home celebrations.
- The old mandals are mostly in South Mumbai. Girgaon, Lalbaug, Parel, Chinchpokli, Fort, and Khetwadi have the maximum number of old mandals. The suburbs like Andheri and Chembur have newer ones from the 1960s and 1970s.
If you want to visit the oldest one, go to Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaon. The nearest station is Charni Road. There is no entry fee. It is open all day .
Total Ganpati Mandal in Mumbai
How many Ganpati mandals in Mumbai? The number is big.
- In 2026, a total of 2,702 Ganpati mandals got BMC permission to set up pandals. But 4,164 mandals had applied. So the number keeps changing.
- The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Samanvay Samiti has 12,000 public mandals registered with it. This includes big and small mandals across the city.
- So the total Ganpati mandal in Mumbai is between 2,500 and 12,000. It depends on how you count. Registered mandals, permitted pandals, small society mandals - all different.
You May Also Read: Ganesh Idols For Ganesh Chaturthi
Why Ganesh Chaturthi is Celebrated for 10 Days?
Many people ask this. The answer is Lokmanya Tilak.
Ganesh Chaturthi used to be a family festival until the year 1893. Individuals worshipped in their homes. Tilak released it to the world. So he selected Anant chaturdashi for his visarjan. Chaturthi is over 10 days ago. Those 10 days allowed people to get to know each other, to conversate and plan together. That's how the 10-day tradition began.
FAQs
1. Which is the oldest mandal in Mumbai?
Keshavji Naik Chawl. In Girgaon. Started 1893. First public mandal in Mumbai. Also first in Maharashtra.
2. How many mandals in Mumbai?
10,000 to 12,000. Plus 2 lakh home Ganpatis. Number changes every year. Cannot say exact.
3. Who started public Ganpati?
Tilak. Bal Gangadhar Tilak. In 1893 his friends started Keshavji Naik Chawl. He wanted to unite people against British rule.
4. Which is the richest mandal?
GSB Seva Mandal. King's Circle. Idol wears 60 kg gold and silver. Insurance is 474 crore. Pooja is strict. Dress code is there. No loud music.
5. What is special about Lalbaugcha Raja?
Navsacha Ganpati. Started 1934. People wait for hours. Sometimes more than 24 hours. Fishermen and traders started it.
6. Which mandal has tallest Ganpati?
Mumbaicha Raja. Ganesh Galli. 22 foot. Since 1977. First in Maharashtra. Khetwadicha Ganraj also tall. 15 foot.
7. How many days does GSB celebrate?
5 days only. Visarjan on Panchami. Not on Anant Chaturdashi. Other mandals do 10 days. This one is different.
8. Which mandal is eco-friendly?
Girgaoncha Raja. Clay idol. No POP. Mumbaicha Peshwa in Vile Parle also makes paper idols.
9. Best time for darshan?
Early morning. Or late night. Weekdays better than weekends. For Lalbaugcha Raja go in first 5 days. During office hours.
10. Old mandals outside Mumbai also?
Yes. Pune has Manache Ganpati. Kasba Ganpati. Guruji Talim. Bhausaheb Rangari. Some link back to 1892-1893.
