Charming Ganesh idols will heighten Maghi festivity from Feb 1

Mumbai: The annual festival of Maghi Ganeshotsav, the festival of Lord Ganesha's birth, will begin on Ganesh Jayanti on Sat Feb 1. Mandals that install idols of the deity at this time of year are planning a full ten days of celebration.Maghi Ganeshotsav has gained popularity in Maharashtra in recent years with an entire economic chain including idol makers, decorators and suppliers finding employment during the month of Magha in Jan-Feb not just Aug-Sept during the largescale Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav. Moortikar Siddhesh Dighole has imprinted his signature style on ornate idols like Charkopcha Vighnaharta, Shrinagarcha Sarveshwar and Kalyancha Maharaja this season.Viraj Sawant, president of Ek Matra Mitra Mandal which installs the Shrinagarcha Sarveshwar, said it was their group of school friends who started Maghi Ganesh celebrations in 2021 with a 5 ft idol. "It was funded by contributions from members and local citizens. Over the years, the scale has grown with the idol now standing 7-8 ft tall in 2025. This year's theme Devi Swaroop embodies the essence of divine femininity. Maghi Ganesh Utsav has become a hallmark event, bringing the community together and fostering a sense of unity and devotion." The 35-member mandal organises Dahi Handi, blood donation camps and welfare programmes through the year.Meanwhile, idol maker Reshma Khatu of the age-old Vijay Khatu Studio said, "The idol I have made this year is Kandivali Cha Shree. The Ganesha is sitting upon a swan as the Saraswati Swaroop. We made this idol at the mandal's site in Kandivli in just 10 days. Its total height is 24 ft with the background crafted in fibre, with detailing of lotus and also the Trimurti Devi idol on top which is symbolic of ‘Vidya dayini' (bestowed of wisdom, knowledge and intellect)."The Shree's grand ‘aagman' or arrival took place on Jan 26. Khatu said, "We won lot of compliments and appreciation for the idol from all over Maharashtra. The mandal arranged the aagman with lot of discipline."Sagar Bamnolikar of the mandal said, "Our Kandivali Cha Shree, founded in 2013, launched 13th year festivities with a grand ‘aagman' that lasted eight hours and witnessed more than 5,000 devotees. Despite challenges posed by dug-up roads, the procession dazzled with performances by nine dhol-tasha pathaks. Our centrepiece is a magnificent 24-foot Veenadhari Ganesh idol, complemented by a prabhaval inspired by Tridevi — Parvati, Saraswati and Laxmi. This year Maghi Ganeshotsav will be celebrated from Feb 1-11."Mumbai: The annual festival of Maghi Ganeshotsav, the festival of Lord Ganesha's birth, will begin on Ganesh Jayanti on Sat Feb 1. Mandals that install idols of the deity at this time of year are planning a full ten days of celebration.Maghi Ganeshotsav has gained popularity in Maharashtra in recent years with an entire economic chain including idol makers, decorators and suppliers finding employment during the month of Magha in Jan-Feb not just Aug-Sept during the largescale Bhadrapad Ganeshotsav. Moortikar Siddhesh Dighole has imprinted his signature style on ornate idols like Charkopcha Vighnaharta, Shrinagarcha Sarveshwar and Kalyancha Maharaja this season.Viraj Sawant, president of Ek Matra Mitra Mandal which installs the Shrinagarcha Sarveshwar, said it was their group of school friends who started Maghi Ganesh celebrations in 2021 with a 5 ft idol. "It was funded by contributions from members and local citizens. Over the years, the scale has grown with the idol now standing 7-8 ft tall in 2025. This year's theme Devi Swaroop embodies the essence of divine femininity. Maghi Ganesh Utsav has become a hallmark event, bringing the community together and fostering a sense of unity and devotion." The 35-member mandal organises Dahi Handi, blood donation camps and welfare programmes through the year.Meanwhile, idol maker Reshma Khatu of the age-old Vijay Khatu Studio said, "The idol I have made this year is Kandivali Cha Shree. The Ganesha is sitting upon a swan as the Saraswati Swaroop. We made this idol at the mandal's site in Kandivli in just 10 days. Its total height is 24 ft with the background crafted in fibre, with detailing of lotus and also the Trimurti Devi idol on top which is symbolic of ‘Vidya dayini' (bestowed of wisdom, knowledge and intellect)."The Shree's grand ‘aagman' or arrival took place on Jan 26. Khatu said, "We won lot of compliments and appreciation for the idol from all over Maharashtra. The mandal arranged the aagman with lot of discipline."Sagar Bamnolikar of the mandal said, "Our Kandivali Cha Shree, founded in 2013, launched 13th year festivities with a grand ‘aagman' that lasted eight hours and witnessed more than 5,000 devotees. Despite challenges posed by dug-up roads, the procession dazzled with performances by nine dhol-tasha pathaks. Our centrepiece is a magnificent 24-foot Veenadhari Ganesh idol, complemented by a prabhaval inspired by Tridevi — Parvati, Saraswati and Laxmi. This year Maghi Ganeshotsav will be celebrated from Feb 1-11."