Maharashtra Tourism to organise guided tours of popular Ganesh pandals in Mumbai, Pune

Friday, September 1, 2023

Ganeshotsav is one of the most significant festivals celebrated throughout Maharashtra, and the Tourism department has made it even more spectacular for tourists by organizing trips to iconic Ganesh idols in Mumbai and Pune.

Tourists and devotees will be transported to Fort Cha Raja in Fort, Keshavji Naik chawl Ganapati in Girgaon, Lalbaug Cha Raja, Mumbaicha Raja of Ganesh Galli in Lalbaug, and GSB SarvajanikGaneshotsav Samiti in Wadala in Mumbai.

“With a purpose of making tourists familiar with the 10-day festival, its significance and give them the best possible guided tour of the most popular Ganesha pandals, the Directorate of Tourism (DoT) is organizing guided tours in association with registered tourists’ guides, commencing Ganesh Chaturthi August, 31, 2022 and culminating on Ananta Chaturthi i.e. September, 9, 2022,”said a DoT press release.

They will also get the option to attend a ‘Ganesh idol creation workshop’ in Parel, where they will be able to engage in idol creating and meet with expert idol makers, according to a DoT official.

It’s that time of year when Mumbai’s vigour reaches new heights, with millions of devotees traveling from all across the country to experience the enthusiasm.

Those who have always wanted to visit the most famous pandals but have been put off by the notion of hours of waiting in lengthy lines to see the fascinating Lord Ganesha statues and kneel down to him, here is their chance, according to a DoT official.

Similarly, the group in Pune will be taken to the Navsacheganpati pandals and temples such as Kasba Ganpati in Kasba Peth, Kesari Wada Ganpati of Kesari Wada in Narayan Peth, TambdiJogeshwari Ganpati in Budhwar Peth, Tulsi Baug Ganpati in Budhwar Peth, Guruji Talim Ganpati in Budhwar Peth, Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati in Budhwar Peth and Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganapati in Budhwar Peth.

The Times of India quoted Valsa Nair Singh, principal secretary, tourism department, Maharashtra Tourism as saying, “This is a great opportunity for tourists and devotees who want to experience the positive vibes & energy the festival brings along. In fact, they will not only get a glimpse of the deity but also gain all kinds of information about these Ganesha pandals and temples that our authorized tour guides will be sharing. They will also be able to savor the delicacies prepared specifically during Ganeshotsav and offered to Lord Ganesha.”

The Mumbai trip will cost Rs 850/- for Indian visitors and Rs 1600/- for foreigners (per person) and will take place between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. The tour in Pune, on the other hand, costs Rs 350/- for Indians and Rs 550/- for foreigners between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m.

A separate familiarization trip for national level travel operators, influencers, and media will also be conducted to familiarize them with the lively celebrations in both Mumbai and Pune.

“All these participants will be from other states. The itinerary will include the same along with the visit to the visarjan ceremony held at Girgaon Chowpatty. The FAM will be planned for 2 nights and 3 days. This will give an insight to the tour operators, influencers and media people who are out of Maharashtra and haven’t experienced the festive fever,” Valsa Nair Singh added.

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