Ganeshotsav 2025: Lalbaugcha Raja Pandal Construction Begins; Anant Ambani Sponsors AC Interiors And Decorations

Lalbaghcha Raja at Parel, Mumbai's most visited Ganeshotsav venue, has started constructing its pandal, with Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman, Mukesh Ambani, sponsoring the air-conditioned interiors.

The pandal had started the year's celebrations with the 'Ganesh Muhurt Puja' on June 14. The pandal, established by fisherfolk, textile mill workers, and local traders from the Lalbaug market in September 1934, is celebrating its 92nd year. Ganeshotsav will be celebrated from Wednesday, August 27, to Anant Chaturdashi on Saturday, September 6, 2025.

The Ambani family has been associated with the Lalbaugcha Raja mandal for the past several years, and they also take part in the immersion yatra of the deity to Girgaon Chowpatty. During the 2024 festival, Anant had donated a 20-kg gold crown to the deity. This year, the 50-foot pandal, the cooling equipment for the enclosures, and the internal and external decorations are sponsored by him, with workers from Gujarat engaged in the creation of the enclosures. The bhandara, or the distribution of sanctified food and sweets, will also be sponsored by the family. 

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The Lalbaug Ganesha is believed to fulfill the prayers of devotees. Also called Navasacha Raja, or the purveyor of vows, the idol at Lalbaugcha Raja is devoted with great reverence as it is believed to fulfil the devotees’ wishes. Couples who face difficulties in conceiving a child are often seen praying to have their wish fulfilled. Once their wish is fulfilled, devotees donate a silver cradle to the Raja, which is then bought by other couples as a form of prasad.

In the 2024 festival, the pandal received Rs 5.65 crores of donations from devotees during Ganeshotsav 2024. The deity also received 4.15 kg of gold and 64.32 kg of silver. In 2023, the mandal received cash donations of Rs five crores and gold and silver worth Rs 80 Lakh. In 2008, it received Rs 11.5 crores as cash and gifts, the highest ever before the Ambani donation. The gold and silver articles are auctioned after the festival. The proceeds from the auction are spent on social projects such as a subsidised dialysis centre, a library, a study room, an employment bureau, a yoga centre, and an institute that teaches computer programming.