80 people, three boxes: Watch how much donations Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal received on first day of Ganesh Chaturthi

The grand celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 began with immense devotion at the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Mumbai, where the donation counting process started on Thursday. The iconic pandal, which draws lakhs of devotees every year, witnessed an overwhelming flow of offerings on the very first day itself.

According to Treasurer Mangesh Dattaram Dalvi, 80 dedicated volunteers have been assigned to count the donations collected from the devotees. He revealed that three donation boxes had been placed, and the counting had just begun with the first box. “This is the first day’s collection. So far, one box has been opened and 80 people are involved in the counting. Last year, we received around ₹48 lakh on the first day alone,” Dalvi said.

The Lalbaugcha Raja idol, one of the most revered and visited Ganpati idols in India, has been a symbol of faith and devotion since 1934, when the mandal was established at Putlabai Chawl. For more than eight decades, the Kambli family has crafted and maintained this grand idol, which has now become an inseparable part of Mumbai’s festive spirit.



Ganesh Chaturthi, also known as Vinayak Chaturthi, is a ten-day festival that begins on Chaturthi in the month of Bhadrapada and concludes with the grand immersion on Anant Chaturdashi. The festival honors Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom, and is celebrated with grandeur across Maharashtra.

This year’s celebrations also saw Bollywood actors Sidharth Malhotra and Janhvi Kapoor visiting the pandal to seek blessings for their upcoming film Param Sundari. Dressed in festive attire, the duo offered prayers at the feet of the deity amid heavy crowds of devotees.

With the donation boxes still being opened, all eyes are on how much the Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal will collect this year as devotees continue to pour in large numbers.