Andhericha Raja to Recreate Ram Mandir as Mumbai Mandals Unveil Ganesh Festival Themes
The Andhericha Raja Ganesh mandal at Azad Nagar on Veera Desai Road in Andheri has announced it will recreate the Ram Mandir of Ayodhya as its official pandal theme for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi festival, starting September 14, 2026. The announcement comes as prominent mandals across Mumbai unveil their preparations and themes for the 10-day festival.
Established in 1975 by local industrial workers, the Andhericha Raja mandal is celebrating its grand preparations this year. According to mandal spokesperson Uday Salian, the replica of the Ayodhya temple will serve as the primary attraction for the thousands of devotees expected to visit the Azad Nagar pandal.
In addition to the celebrations in Andheri, other major mandals in Mumbai have also declared their themes and safety guidelines. At King's Circle, the GSB Seva Mandal will host its 72nd Shree Ganeshotsav from September 14 to September 18, 2026, at Shree Sukriteendra Nagar. Established in 1955, the mandal will feature a Lord Mahaganapati idol adorned with gold and silver ornaments.
The GSB Seva Mandal's festival operations will continue to fund its ongoing charitable initiatives. These include the construction of a 200-bed multi-speciality charitable hospital at Versave in Mira-Bhayandar, alongside the Santushta Annadaan scheme which provides nutritious meals to those in need.
To manage the massive crowds, GSB Seva Mandal has introduced strict visitor guidelines. Devotees above the age of 12 wearing shorts, short T-shirts, or low-waist jeans will not be permitted entry. The mandal has also enabled online bookings for poojas and darshan slots, issuing QR code-enabled e-receipts to visitors.
Meanwhile, the Sahyadri Krida Mandal in Tilak Nagar, Chembur, is set to celebrate its golden jubilee with a "Super Heroes" theme. Erected at the Samaj Mandir Hall, the pandal will feature popular characters like Spider-Man and Chhota Bheem. Mandal secretary Rajendra Mohite stated that president Rahul Walunj and vice-president Amit Satardekar chose the theme to attract children and foster early devotion.
Further south, the Girgaoncha Raja at Nikadwari Lane will mark its 99th year of celebrations. Secretary Ganesh Lingayar noted that the mandal will feature its signature 21-foot idol sculpted from natural clay (shaddu maati), which was recognized in 2024 as the tallest natural clay Ganesha idol.
