Here's your guide to go pandal-hopping in Lonavala this Ganeshotsav

Swap crowded city pandals for Lonavla where Ganeshotsav offers a blend of community spirit ageold traditions and a unique laidback charm In Lonavla celebrations are rooted in community service pandals participate in blood donation drives and the corporation has ecofriendly initiatives like an artificial pond for visarjan All you need to do is get on the local train for a oneday pandalhop during GaneshotsavShreemanth Nehru Mitra MandalKnown for its thematic decor this mandal is over 52 years old and a showcase of creative artistry Past themes have included replicas of the 12 Jyotirlingas Amarnath the birth of Krishna and even The Burning Train This pandal is renowned for its ambitious designs and cannot be missed should you decide to hop around town Itrsquos also a great example of how Lonavla blends devotion with imaginative storytellingRyewood Ganesh MandalEstablished in 1927 this is where Lonavlarsquos Ganpati legacy begins As the oldest and first manache Ganpati in Lonavla Ryewood Ganesh Mandal holds a special place in the hearts of locals The pandal is a mustvisit for anyone who wants to witness the deeprooted devotion and traditional rituals that have been passed down through generations The atmosphere here is one of quiet reverence and historical significanceTarun Maratha MandalCelebrating its 93rd year this Gaothan pandal is a hub of cultural tradition The mandal is supported by the legacy of A1 Chikki with the family playing a key role from its forefathers to the current generation The visarjan procession is a spectacle of faith featuring balvarkari young devotees from Alandi and Dehu who perform authentic bhajans and rangas supported by Ramesh Vyas a generational owner of the famous sweet shopShivaji Mitra MandalAlso over 50 years old this mandal is famous for its largerthanlife Ganesh idols and grand decor with past themes replicating the Ayodhya Ram Mandir and Tirupati Balaji Temple The procession is a highenergy affair with more than one pathak participating a unique feature among Lonavlarsquos pandals Students from the local Bhonde School annually participate in the pathak making it a community eventSarvajanik Ganeshotsav MandalIn Gawliwada this pandal is where the festivalrsquos energy truly comes alive The mandal is run by the local community and right from putting up the pandal to carrying out rituals everything is done by them The procession is equally enthralling Itrsquos an explosion of colour and sound led by local community members who perform a traditional Gawli dance and playfully fill the air with vibrant gulaal Their local pathak is a rhythmic mix of dhol sounds and synchronised dancing making for an unforgettable festive experienceHeads up hoppersGetting around Pandals are clustered around the railway station and market areas making it easy to hopWatch Catch live telecasts on the Maval Varta channel but nothing beats the inperson experiencePathak energy Listen out for the powerful beats of local dhol tasha pathaks like Bhairav Mourya and Gawliwada Donrsquot miss the youngsters of Hanuman Dhol Tasha PathakOther pandals to visitSant Rohidas Tarun Mandal Gaothan Established in 1939 this is another of Lonavlarsquos historic community celebrationsRanapratap Netaji Mitra Mandal Nawa Bazaar Established in 1980 this mandal adds to the vibrant streetside celebrations in the Nawa Bazaar areaJai Maharashtra Gajanan Mitra Mandal Gaothan Founded in 1979 this pandal is known for its Lal Baugcha Rajainspired idolsBhairavnath Ganesh Utsav Mitra Mandal Established in 1993 this mandal is known for its energetic Bhairav dhol tasha pathakMaharashtra Mantang Samaj This mandal provides a glimpse into the specific cultural celebrations of the Mantang communityGet a guided hopGet an authentic Ganpati experience with Lonavala Local a platform run by residents who know the hills best This twotothreehour curated walk will guide you through 10 of the top pandals including the historic Ryewood and the communitydriven Sarvajanik The walk includes an experience of local dhol tasha pathaks like Bhairav and Gawliwada And unique stops like Goelsrsquo Mansion mdash home to rare Ganpati idols mdash and a walkthrough of Dhanlaxmi Jewellers for festive gold and silver It ends with a food tour through the main market with stops for chai hot chocolate and local treatsTO BOOK WhatsAppCall Lonavala Local 91 9820068611PRICE Rs 1500 per person inclusive of light refreshments the guided experience and a walkthrough of homes and the marketWHEN Friday Saturday and Sunday August 27 onwardsTIME 8 am to 10 am and 6 pm to 8 pm weekday walks available on request