About Us
Years Completed
Keshavji Naik Chawl Girgaon Mumbai
The first Ganesh festival in Mumbai was held in Girgaon, at Keshavji Naik Chawl in 1893, organized by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak. He transformed Ganesh Chaturthi from a private household ritual into a Sarvajanik (public) celebration, giving people a common platform to gather, worship, and express cultural identity. This move was deeply significant—it fostered unity among communities, encouraged social and cultural exchange, and subtly became a way to mobilize people during India’s freedom struggle. From that moment, Girgaon became the birthplace of Mumbai’s Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav tradition, inspiring thousands of mandals across Maharashtra and shaping the festival into the grand public celebration we see today.
Why It Matters
Origins
Founded in 1893 at Keshavji Naik Chawl, Girgaon.
Initiated by Lokmanya Tilak and his associates to transform Ganesh Chaturthi from a private household ritual into a public festival.
Purpose: foster communal harmony, strengthen social unity, and provide a platform for cultural expression during British colonial rule.
Unique Features
Traditional simplicity: Unlike many modern mandals, Shree Sarvajanik Ganeshutsav Sanstha avoids loudspeakers and extravagant displays, focusing on pure devotion.
Idol craftsmanship: The Ganpati idol is typically two feet high, crafted by Rajendra More, a third-generation idol artist.
Celebrity visits: Over the years, dignitaries and cultural icons including Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Amit Shah, and Uddhav Thackeray have visited the mandal.
- Cultural Legacy: The festival is not just about devotion it’s about community, art, and heritage.
- Historic Role: It pioneered the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav movement, inspiring countless other mandals across Maharashtra.
- Living Tradition: Even after more than a century, it remains a symbol of unity and faith in Mumbai.
Our Testimonial
This first celebration set the tone for Girgaon’s identity—where devotion, art, and unity blended seamlessly, making the Ganesh festival not just a religious occasion but a cultural heartbeat of the community.
Bhalchandra Deshmukh
It was a moment of great honor and pure joy to attend the public Ganeshotsav at Keshavji Naik Chali. The festival was started in 1893 under the inspiration of Lokmanya Tilak and it is very appreciable that the residents of this chali have been cultivating the tradition of this festival with great devotion and success for the past hundred years.More importantly, we are preserving the inspiring thoughts with which Lokmanya Tilak started this festival with loyalty and enthusiasm. Also, as is seen in many other examples, our festival has not taken the form of a market festival, but the organizers are striving to maintain a distinct cultural and social aspect.
I appreciate the work of the organizers and wish them all the best for their future endeavors.
Bhalchandra Deshmukh
Pt. Laxminarayan Shastri
श्री सार्वजनिक गणेशोत्सव संस्था
अमृतमहोत्सव कार्यवाह जी,
२७-८-६७ तारीख़ का आपका लिखा पत्र मिला। उससे यह बात मालूम करके श्री गुरु महाराज को बड़ा संतोष हुआ कि आप लोग पिछले ७५ वर्षों से श्री गणेशजी का उत्सव मनाते आ रहे हैं और इस वर्ष प्लेटिनम जयंती अमृतमहोत्सव चला रहे हैं। हमारे भारत में प्रत्येक हिन्दू भाद्रपद शुक्ल चतुर्थी को अपनी शक्ति और भक्ति के अनुसार गणेशजी का उत्सव मनाता ही है। महाराष्ट्र में यह उत्सव एक विशिष्ट ढंग से मनाया जाता है। इससे लोगों में अपने धर्म के प्रति अभिमान और शक्ति का संचार होता आया है। भगवान की कृपा तो है ही। आप लोगों द्वारा आयोजित उत्सवों में आज तक बड़े-बड़े विद्वानों ने भाग लिया है। इस वर्ष मनाए जाने वाले उत्सव में महाराष्ट्र के मुख्यमंत्री श्री वि. पि. नायक महोदय का आमंत्रण हुआ है। वे आने वाले हैं। श्री गुरु महाराज चाहते हैं कि अमृतमहोत्सव वैभवपूर्ण रूप से सम्पन्न हो और श्री गणेशजी की कृपा से आप लोग सुखी रहें।
Pt. Laxminarayan Shastri
Zail Singh
I am glad to know that the 90th anniversary of the Sarvajanik Ganapati Festival will be celebrated in Bombay from the 22nd August, 1982.
I hope the Festival will become a popular occasion for religious and cultural activity.
My best wishes for the success of the Festival.
Zail Singh
H.Y. Sharada Prasad
Dear Sir,
The Prime Minister thanks you for your letter and wishes success to the Ganeshotsav being celebrated by your Committee for the seventy-fifth successive year.
H.Y. Sharada Prasad
V. V. Giri
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 1st. I send my best wishes for the success of the 75th Anniversary Celebrations of the Ganeshotsav to be held under the auspices of your Samstha.