From Mahim to Girgaon, set out on a Ganpati trail across Mumbai

Sign up for a tour that takes you from Mahim to Girgaon to experience how various communities celebrate a cult deity Lord Ganesha who happily adheres to the call, pudchya varshi lavkar ya

It's that time of the year again. Despite the pouring rain and gloomy skies, you will find families picking out idols for their homes, and, in a few days' time, the streets will be overflowing with devotees and the sounds of celebratory firecrackers. Ganesh Chaturthi has arrived.

If you've wondered what the hullabaloo is all about, and would like to dive deeper into what makes this festival so special to Mumbaikars, join Reality Tours and Travel as its guides give you an intimate peek into the festivities. "This tour is not only interesting to those who aren't from the city, but also for Mumbai residents, as there is plenty to see and learn," says Suraj Hattarkal, who has been a guide with the travel venture for the last six years.

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Celebrations in Dharavi. Pic courtesy/reality tours and Travel

The tour will begin at Mahim railway station, where you will be given a quick introduction to the festival. A 15-minute walk through winding paths will lead you to the heart of Kumbharwada, where Dharavi's artisans are hard at work making earthen artefacts. "Here, you will meet the Gujarati and Rajasthani communities that celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi, and get to visit the different pandals they set up for the duration of the festival," says Hattarkal.

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He shares that it's not only the big idols that you will have the opportunity to see. "We will also visit a family in the area that brings the idol home. We try and coincide this visit with the aarti [prayers], so you can take part in rituals," he says.

The next stop is the pandal at Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaon, which is believed to be the oldest in the city. This part of the tour will involve a little history lesson, shares Hattarkal. "This community was among the first to join freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak's call for a 'sarvajanik' Ganeshotsav in the late 19th century."

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The final stop is Girgaon Chowpatty, where you can witness hundreds of processions that make their way to the beach to immerse their Ganesh idols in the sea. "We won't leave immediately. After all, you can't go home without trying the chaat at Girgaon Chowpatty," Hattarkal signs off.

On: August 26; 3.30 pm to 7.30 pm
Meeting Point: Mahim railway station.
Log on to: realitytoursandtravel.com
Cost: Rs 1,200

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