Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Shilpa Shetty, Ankita Lokhande, Sunita Ahuja welcome Bappa. Watch

On September 14, 2026, the iconic Siddhivinayak Temple in Mumbai was beautifully adorned with flowers and lights in preparation for Ganesh Chaturthi. The temple, a revered Hindu shrine, was decked out in traditional festive decorations from entrance to main sanctum housing the Ganesh idol. A video shared by IANS on X captured the scene, showcasing a vibrant and auspicious atmosphere at the sacred shrine.

The first day of the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival began with a large number of devotees gathered at the Siddhivinayak Temple to seek Lord Ganesha's blessings. Chanting "Ganpati Bappa Morya" echoed around the temple as devotees paid their respects. To accommodate the large crowd, elaborate security arrangements were put in place.

Mumbai embraced the Ganesh Chaturthi spirit, with devotees welcoming Lord Ganesha into their homes, housing societies, and public pandals across the city. Prominent Ganesh mandals had already magnificently decorated their pandals in anticipation of the auspicious festival. Popular pandals like Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja witnessed massive crowds queuing up to seek Mukh Darshan (first view of Lord Ganesha’s face) and offer prayers.

Other notable pandals, such as Mumbaicha Raja at Ganesh Galli and Chinchpoklicha Chintamani, also attracted large crowds of devotees on the first day of the festival. These pandals showcased cultural heritage through elaborate thematic decorations and iconic idols. Bhulleshwarcha Raja, however, chose a simpler approach due to the tragic collapse of a 22-foot Plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganpati idol during its arrival procession.

Despite the setback, Mumbai was set to witness grand festivities over the next 10 days, with the city’s streets alive with faith, tradition, music, and elaborate artistry, culminating in Ganesh idol immersion processions on September 25.