Khetwadi is home to tallest Ganesh idols in Mumbai

MUMBAI: Actor Shabana Azmi recently recalled her childhood tours of the beautiful Ganesh pandals of Khetwadi which carve tall 25-40 ft idols during the festival. The trend flourishes to this day, reports Bella Jaisinghani
Mumbaicha Maharaja, 11th Lane Khetwadi
A massive 38 ft tall Parshuram style Ganesh lords over the 61-year-old Mumbaicha Maharaja mandal of Khetwadi 11th Lane.President Hemant Dixit says this is the tallest idol in Maharashtra. Moortikar Krunal Patil has carved the sculpture while art director Sunil Atmaram Jadhav has fashioned the Sabha Mandap in the form of Parshuram's gurukul. Khetwadi 11th Lane has designed a beautiful gallery with the katha (story) of Parshuram which visitors can stop by to read. Dixit says, "The entire Konkan belt including Mumbai is Parshuram bhoomi."
Khetwadi Cha Vighnaharta, Lane 2-3
Lanes 2-3 of Khetwadi are fused together so the celebrations are conjoined too. Spokesman Ankur Lad says the Khetwadi Cha Vighnaharta was instituted in 1937 and is the oldest in the precinct at 86 years. After capping the height of its idol at 4 ft during the Covid years, this year Vighnaharta has carved a 24 ft tall idol of Vishnu swaroop Ganesh with Goddess Laxmi alongside. Lad says it is the karyakartas who decorate the mandap themselves as a form of personal service and gratitude.
Khetwadi 7th Lane
The Khetwadi 7th Lane Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Mandal has carved a reputation for some of the best, most beautiful idols over its 73-year history. This is the second oldest mandal in the area. Spokesman Parag Shirke says this year their grand 28 ft tall Ganesh, crafted by moortikar Siddhesh Dighole, is seated atop a mooshak. The mandap is designed in the form of a galaxy complete with stars and planets. 7th Lane Khetwadi conducts blood donation camps each year.
Khetwadicha Mahaganpati, 8th Lane
Khetwadi 8th Lane has chosen an offbeat concept in its 59th year. It has installed a 35 ft idol of Vinayaki Devi, a female avatar of Lord Ganesh, carved by Sunil Varadkar. Secretary Nilesh Shirdhankar says, "Lord Ganesh took the avatar of a woman just to meet his mother Parvati who was in a place where only women were allowed. So the idol is wearing a saree and gold ornaments." In keeping with its theme of women empowerment the Mahaganpati has put up posters of Rani Laxmibai, Indira Gandhi, Lata Mangeshkar and Mithali Raj.