Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Mumbai Chawl Preserves Ganpati Festival’s 19th-Century Roots
A special Ganpati celebration takes place in an old Mumbai chawl.
A chawl is a simple building where many families live close together and share facilities.
This chawl is called Keshavji Naik Chawl and is in Girgaon.
It is connected to the beginning of Mumbai’s public Ganpati festival in 1893.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak encouraged people to celebrate Ganpati together in public.
The festival still uses a small two-foot idol like the original one.
People carry the idol in a traditional palkhi instead of using a truck.
Dhols, tashas and manjiras provide the music.
Many former residents return because the celebration reminds them of their old home.
Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaon recreates Mumbai’s 19th-century atmosphere during its 10-day Ganpati celebrations.
The chawl is widely regarded as the birthplace of Mumbai’s public Ganpati festival, launched in 1893 after Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s call.
Residents preserve the original tradition with a two-foot idol carried in a palkhi and accompanied by dhols, tashas and manjiras.
The simple celebration contrasts with the commercialized Ganesh Utsav observed across much of Maharashtra.
Former residents return annually from distant suburbs, while history enthusiasts visit the surviving chawl for its cultural heritage.
- Who
- Residents and former residents of Keshavji Naik Chawl, along with visitors and history enthusiasts; Bal Gangadhar Tilak initiated the public-festival movement.
- What
- A 10-day Ganpati celebration preserves the traditions and atmosphere associated with Mumbai’s 1893 public Ganpati festival.
- When
- During the annual 10-day Ganpati celebrations; the public festival tradition dates to 1893.
- Where
- Keshavji Naik Chawl in Girgaon, South Mumbai.
- Why
- To continue the chawl’s historic festival traditions and preserve Mumbai’s cultural heritage.
- Location
- Keshavji Naik Chawl, Girgaon, South Mumbai
- Festival duration
- 10 days
- Historical origin
- The Mumbai public celebration was organised in 1893 after Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s call.
- Idol
- A two-foot idol modelled on the original
- Procession
- The idol is carried to and from the pandal in a traditional palkhi.
- Music
- Traditional dhols, tashas and manjiras accompany the celebrations.
- Distinctive feature
- The celebration remains simple despite the broader commercialization of Ganesh Utsav.