While Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai is usually associated with fast-moving queues, a few Ganpati mandals have carved a legacy of soothing prasad meals alongside the festivities. Nestled in Matunga, the Gowd Saraswati Brahmins (GSB) Seva Mandal’s open kitchen is one such example. Known for its iconic satvik bhog served on banana leaves, the mandal caters to nearly 30,000 devotees every afternoon for five days, until visarjan.

Rajiv Kamat

While the mandal also offers breakfast and dinner, lunch is the highlight. Cooked only on earthen stoves, without onion or garlic, the aromatic spread is a taste of home for Mumbai’s GSB community. The kitchen opens as early as 4 am and is run by expert chefs who travel specially from Karwar. A typical meal includes rice, rassam, bhaji, and sweets.