Lalbaugcha Raja History: Significance, Rituals & The Tradition That Began In 1934

In India, Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most revered festivals. However, you won’t find it anywhere else the way it’s celebrated in Mumbai. Mumbai’s streets reverberate with the chanting of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” each year. The city as a whole appears to stop, take a breath, and rejoice. Many people believe that Lalbaugcha Raja, the most famous Ganesh idol in the city, is where the heart of this devotion beats the strongest.

On Sunday, the first look of Lalbaugcha Raja was revealed. Since then, people have been talking about it nonstop. People are occupied with learning about everything, including the history of Lalbaugcha Raja and how to have darshan. It quickly became a hot topic of conversation throughout India, not just in Mumbai.

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Lalbaugcha Raja explained

Known as “Navasacha Ganpati,” or the wish-fulfilling Ganesha, Lalbaugcha Raja is a Ganesha idol housed at Lalbaug and is one of the most sought-after darshans in Mumbai. It displayed a beautiful 14-foot idol of Lord Ganesha with elaborate carvings and decorations, sitting majestically against a brilliant golden background.

The idol was sculpted by Santosh Ratnakar Kambli of Murtikar Shree Kambli Arts. Speaking to The Indian Express, the sculptor revealed that the idol is themed on Tripati Balaji. He also said that the pandal chose the concept and informed him of it. Kambli added that he spent more than a month crafting the idol. The idol donned an angavastram and a velvet rani-pink dhoti that is embroidered with the SriVari namam, the sacred symbol that Lord Venkateswara (Balaji) wore at Tirumala.

Best View of Lalbaugcha Raja’s auspicious arti💗 pic.twitter.com/pNWKfp4iht

— Bhagavad Gita 🪷 (@Geetashloks) August 28, 2025

History of Lalbaugcha Raja

The story begins in 1932, when Peru Chawl’s market was closed due to the changes in the textile industry. After losing their place of business, fishermen and vendors appealed to Ganesha for a permanent marketplace. In response to their prayers, a fresh plot emerged, which eventually evolved into Lalbaug Market.

As a token of appreciation, the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was established in 1934 when local shopkeepers and Koli community members placed a Ganpati statue there. Since then, what started off as a modest show of devotion has developed into Mumbai’s most famous Ganeshotsav. These events have grown in size and scope over time, and pandals now compete with one another to display their enormity and splendor.

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Do you know that Lalbaugcha Raja’s design is patented?

Since 1920, the Kambli family, who were the idol’s original makers, have been crafting Ganpati idols. In 1935, they started producing the Lalbaugcha idol. To make it special, they designed and decorated the Lalbaugcha Raja idol in a unique way. Instead of round, they started making a slim cut face, giving an idol an elegant and modern look. Another special thing about it is that the Lord is seated on a throne like a human.

The uniqueness of the design inspired generations of sculptors to experiment with the look of Lord Ganesha. Today, when we see various pandals, we see how different they look from each other, and that’s why people find every single idol unique. However, many also started intimidating the Lalbaugcha idol. As a result, the Kambli family patented the entire Lalbaugcha Raja design in order to protect their rights to it. This is special because no one else had done so before.

Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal

Darshan details of Lalbaugcha Raja

Darshan starts on Wednesday, August 27, and lasts till next Saturday, September 6, when the idol is carried in a large procession to Girgaon Chowpatty for immersion. Devotees can choose between mukh darshan, which involves viewing the idol from a distance, and charan sparsh darshan, which is the most popular choice and allows one to touch the idol’s feet but has lines that can last for hours.

Live online darshan will be available 24/7 on lalbaugcharaja.com and other media platforms for those who are unable to attend in person. Regarding VIP darshan, Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal took to social media to clarify that it does not offer VIP darshan permits or charge for darshan, despite repeated allegations that VIP and special darshan passes are available for a cost.

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Lalbaugcha Raja demands special security preparations

Over 3 lakh devotees travel from all over the nation to see Lalbaugcha Raja every day. For this, extreme security arrangements have to be made. So, the Mumbai Police has undertaken extraordinary security precautions for this festival, and the entire area is converted into a no-flying zone. 10 DCPs, 4 ACPs, 22 inspectors, 50 assistant inspectors, and over 500 constables will be on round-the-clock security duty.

There will be one SRPF and one riot control squad contingent each here for the full 11 days. In addition, the police will use two CCTV vans and four combat vans to keep an eye on Lalbaugcha Raja’s security. Every single person who visits there will be under surveillance.

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