If you’ve ever wondered how Ganeshotsav looks at full throttle, the Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Mumbai is the answer – deafening dhols, gilded pandals, and processions that turn entire neighborhoods into moving temples. In 2025, Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai falls on Wednesday, 27 August, with festivities continuing till Anant Chaturdashi on Saturday, 6 September – when the city bids farewell to Bappa with grand visarjan immersions. Expect iconic mandals like Lalbaugcha Raja, GSB Seva Mandal (King’s Circle), Ganesh Galli (Mumbaicha Raja) and Khetwadi to draw massive crowds and global attention. Here’s your clear, up-to-date trip plan – dates, where to go, how to reach, crowd hacks, holidays, and dry-day rules.
Key Dates & Duration (2025)
- Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai will be celebrated on Wednesday, 27 August 2025. It will be a Public/academic holiday in Maharashtra (schools/colleges closed) on that day.
- Most public mandals celebrate for 10 days, culminating on Anant Chaturdashi (6 Sept) with final immersions.
- Major mandal schedules
- Lalbaugcha Raja: Festival 27 Aug–6 Sept (official).
- GSB Seva Mandal (King’s Circle): 27–31 Aug (71st year).
Is Ganesh Chaturthi a Dry Day?
Yes. 27 August 2025 is a dry day in Maharashtra (no alcohol sale). Many lists also flag Anant Chaturdashi (6 Sept) as a Mumbai dry day. Plan accordingly.
Where To Go: Famous Pandals & What Makes Them Special
- Lalbaugcha Raja (Lalbaug, Parel): The city’s most iconic “Navasacha Ganpati” – expect multi-hour queues; official site confirms 2025 festival dates.
- GSB Seva Mandal (King’s Circle): Known for opulent traditional rituals; 2025 dates 27–31 Aug announced by the mandal.
- Ganesh Galli – Mumbaicha Raja (Lalbaug): Big-scale themed decor; 2025 theme teasers are already live.
- Khetwadi Cha Ganraj (12th Lane, Girgaum): Famous for towering idols and intricate designs; spotlighted again for 2025.
Tip: Visit 6–9 AM or after 11 PM for relatively faster mukh-darshan at big mandals. (Timings/passes vary by mandal each year; check their official handles just before you go.)
How Is Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrated in Mumbai?
- Pandal-hopping: Neighborhood committees (mandals) install elaborate idols, decor, and cultural themes.
- Aartis & Prasad: Daily aartis, bhajans; modak distribution at many pandals.
- Processions & Visarjan: Immersions happen on day 1½, 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 10th day (Anant Chaturdashi) at major points like Girgaum Chowpatty, Dadar, Juhu, Versova, Powai etc.; heavy police deployment & CCTV are standard.
Can I Travel to Mumbai on Ganesh Chaturthi (and on 27 Aug 2025)?
Yes – but expect diversions and crowds. Mumbai Police typically announce special traffic plans for processions and visarjan; large arteries near Lalbaug/Byculla/Dadar often see closures or slowdowns. In 2024, coastal road access was extended to ease north–south movement – expect similar facilitation and advisories in 2025.
Regional road note: The state has already signalled festival-season restrictions on the Mumbai–Goa Highway around late August/early Sept to manage holiday traffic towards Konkan. Factor this into intercity drives.
Do Colleges in Mumbai Have a Holiday for Ganesh Chaturthi?
Yes, 27 August 2025 is listed as a holiday for Maharashtra schools (and typically for colleges/universities as per state holiday notification). Always check your institution’s circular, but education closures for Ganesh Chaturthi are the norm.
Getting Around: Local Transport & Crowd Strategy
- Local Trains/Metro: Best for cross-town movement. Avoid peak pandal hours near Parel, Byculla, Dadar, and Charni Road (Girgaum).
- Buses/Autos: Expect detours on procession routes; build buffer time. 2024 advisories show widespread diversions on immersion days – 2025 will be similar.
- Walking last mile: Many areas go pedestrian-first; comfortable footwear is essential.
- Accessibility: Major mandals have separate mukh-darshan corridors and sometimes senior citizen/accessible lanes – monitor mandal updates (e.g., Lalbaug/GSB).
Sample 2-Day Itinerary (Peak Festive Days)
Day 1 (Early festival: 27–29 Aug)
- Morning: GSB Seva Mandal (King’s Circle) for traditional puja.
- Late Morning/Noon: Khetwadi lanes (multiple pandals in short walking loops).
- Night: Mumbaicha Raja (Ganesh Galli) – themes shine after dark.
Day 2
- Early Morning: Lalbaugcha Raja (arrive before 6 AM for shorter wait; follow official queue signage).
- Evening: Marine Drive–Girgaum corridor for smaller processions and aarti ambience (non-immersion days).
Practical Tips (What Most Visitors Miss)
- Hydration & heat: Carry water; queues can run long at Lalbaug/King’s Circle.
- Cash-lite: UPI works widely at prasad/snack stalls; keep small cash for donations.
- Footwear & attire: Closed shoes; modest clothing for easy entry into queues.
- Phones/valuables: Use cross-body pouches; keep power banks.
- Respect local norms: Follow marshals’ instructions; no photography where restricted.
- Safety: Police & CCTV coverage is extensive at immersion sites every year.
Quick Booking & Planning Checklist
- Stay: Book near Lower Parel/Dadar/Colaba/Bandra, depending on your pandal circuit; refundable rates recommended.
- Transit: Prefer Metro 2A/2B/6/7 where possible; add 30–45 mins buffer on festival evenings. (Watch Mumbai Police/BMC handles for 2025 advisories.)
- Pandal info: Follow official pages – Lalbaugcha Raja and GSB Seva Mandal post timings/queue updates.
Summing Up
The Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai (27 Aug–6 Sept 2025) is the city at its most spirited – Ganesh Chaturthi Mumbai style. Prioritize Lalbaugcha Raja, GSB Seva Mandal, Mumbaicha Raja, and Khetwadi; move by train/Metro; allow buffer time for diversions; and remember 27 Aug is a dry day. With early starts and smart routing, you’ll see the best of Ganesh Chaturthi celebration in Mumbai – safely and without missing the magic.
