MTDC's festive offer: Visit 'famous five' Ganpatis in Mumbai for Rs 1,151

Lalbaugcha Raja

For all Punekars who wish to visit popular Ganpatis in Mumbai - without standing in serpentine queues - the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is launching a two-day Ganpati special tour. Those availing this package will be taken for a quick tour to five of the most popular Ganpati pandals in Mumbai. The special tour will cost R1,151 per person for a single day.

Lalbaugcha Raja

Speaking to mid-day, MTDC project manager (Mumbai) Ravikant Jangale said, "It will be a day-long tour, wherein tourists will be able to take darshan of Lalbaugcha Raja, Siddhivinayak temple, Andhericha Raja, Girgaoncha Raja and Mumbaicha Raja. All these Ganesh pandals are hugely popular among devotees, who don't mind waiting for hours, even days, for darshan."

Siddhivinayak temple

Jangale added that those availing the special package will be able to take darshan without wasting time in the queues. "We have already contacted chairpersons of all these mandals and they have agreed to accommodate our tourists at their respective pandals. Moreover, volunteers at the pandals will inform the tourists about the historical importance of the mandals," said Jangale.

Andhericha Raja

The tour will commence from Dadar on September 4 and 5, wherein in two batches of 45 tourists (one on each day) will be accommodated. "Preference will be given to tourists residing outside Mumbai.

Mumbaicha Raja

We are also in talks with popular Ganesh mandals in Pune, so that a similar package can be offered to tourists wanting to visit Pune during next Ganeshotsav for darshan of the five ‘manache Ganpati'," Jangale said.

Girgaoncha Raja

MTDC officials said such initiatives will not only increase tourism activities in the state, but also give an opportunity to tourists from outside the state to be a part of the festivities.