Lalbaugcha Raja 2026: Massive Day 1 Rush, Two-Hour Wait and ‘Special Pass’ Confusion

Mumbai, September 17: Ganeshotsav 2026 began with Mumbai bursting into festive fervour as thousands of devotees gathered at the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja on the first day of the 12-day celebrations.

The rush at the famous Ganpati pandal started building up around midnight, with devotees arriving from different parts of Mumbai and neighbouring areas for darshan. By morning, long queues had formed around the pandal, reflecting the huge turnout on the opening day.

Two-hour wait for Mukh Darshan

Devotees opting for Mukh Darshan faced a waiting period of around two hours, according to a devotee present at the venue.

With large numbers of people arriving continuously, the queues remained crowded as devotees waited for their turn to catch a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja.

‘Special pass’ rumour sparks confusion

Some confusion was reported near the police chowki during the morning after information about the availability of “special passes” began circulating among devotees.

According to the devotee, a number of senior citizens and other visitors gathered near the police chowki hoping to obtain the passes. However, police personnel stationed outside reportedly told devotees that entry for such passes was not available.

The devotee also raised concerns about basic facilities at the venue, claiming that drinking water arrangements were not readily available despite the heavy footfall. She further said that mobile toilets were not visible near the pandal, where devotees were expected to spend considerable time waiting.

Commuters report taxi fare differences

The rush also created difficulties for commuters travelling towards Lalbaug. Visitors arriving at Dadar station reportedly faced problems while trying to hire taxis for the journey.

Some taxi operators outside the station were allegedly refusing to travel by meter and quoting fares of around ₹200–₹250 for Lalbaug. However, commuters who walked a short distance towards the circle reportedly found taxis willing to operate on the meter, with the same journey costing around ₹70.

The difference in fares became a concern for devotees travelling to Lalbaug during the festival rush.

Flower and sweet sellers enter the Mukh Darshan queue

Small vendors were also seen moving through the Mukh Darshan queue, selling flowers and sweets to devotees waiting for their turn.

Their presence prompted questions among some devotees, particularly because people standing in the Mukh Darshan queue generally do not have direct access to the idol for making offerings.

The sale of puja items within the queue could potentially create confusion among devotees about whether their offerings could be accepted despite being part of the Mukh Darshan line.

Gopuram-style entrance becomes a major attraction

The entrance to this year’s Lalbaugcha Raja pandal has been designed in the style of a traditional Gopuram, giving the venue a distinctive temple-inspired appearance.

A huge idol of Lord Shiva stands atop the elaborate gateway, holding a damaru and kamandalu, with one hand raised in a blessing gesture.

The striking structure has attracted considerable attention from devotees approaching the pandal. The red eye of the Shiva idol adds to its imposing appearance and makes the entrance particularly noticeable amid the crowds.

Traffic restrictions announced around Lalbaug

With thousands of devotees expected to visit Lalbaug during Ganeshotsav, Mumbai Police have put traffic restrictions and diversions in place around Lalbaug and Kalachowki.

The measures are aimed at managing the movement of devotees and vehicles and maintaining traffic flow in the areas surrounding the popular pandal during the festival.

As Ganeshotsav enters its 12-day celebration, Lalbaugcha Raja is expected to continue witnessing a heavy influx of devotees, particularly during peak hours and the upcoming festival days.