As raindrops fell lightly over Nashik on the evening of 4 September 2025, the city shimmered with Ganeshotsav lights and chants.
I began my Ganpati Bappa darshan journey from Ashok Stambh where spectacular mandals had transformed the crossroads into a hub of devotion and festivity.
I saw families with children tugging at toy stalls, elders walking steadily with devotion in their eyes, young couples enjoying the festive stroll, and food carts serving hot snacks to the crowd.
Amidst vendors selling toys, balloons, and festive accessories, the entire junction had transformed into a vibrant hub of joy and devotion – setting the perfect stage for my Ganeshotsav darshan yatra.
Manacha Raja at Ashok Stambh
Amidst light evening showers, devotees queued up at the Manacha Raja mandap, near Ashok Stambh on the road going towards CBS, which has been designed with a grand walkway glowing with vibrant colored lights and adorned with a magnificent chandelier.
At the center of this spectacular setup sits Lord Ganesha (Bappa), majestically seated on a tall throne.
The idol of Bappa this year is striking – adorned in a traditional pheta (pagdi), with one hand raised in blessing and another holding modak. The entire mandap design radiates cultural heritage, devotion, and creative artistry, leaving devotees mesmerized.
Two More Mandals at Ashok Stambh
Just a few steps away from Manacha Raja, the Ashok Stambh traffic junction had two more vibrant mandaps standing almost side by side.
Ashok Stambh Ganeshotsav Mitra Mandal
The first was Ashok Stambh Ganeshotsav Mitra Mandal, where we joined fellow devotees for the evening aarti. This pandal had a striking theme based on Tukaram Maharaj’s Vaikunth Gaman (ascent to heaven).
The decoration was designed like a mechanized tableau, with moving props depicting the saint’s journey. Interestingly, the Ganesh idol here was smaller in size, as most of the stage was dedicated to this elaborate thematic display.
Ashok Stambh Shivmudra Mitra Mandal
Right next to it was the above mandal’s Ashok Stambhacha Raja Ganpati, which showcased a towering idol of Lord Ganesha with six hands, majestically standing atop the globe.
The backdrop was equally eye-catching, featuring artistic depictions of all the eight Ashtavinayak Ganpatis from Maharashtra, making it a symbolic blend of global presence and deep-rooted tradition.
Nashikcha Raja
As I walked down the one-way road from Ashok Stambh towards Raviwar Karanja, I soon reached the majestic Nashikcha Raja Ganpati on the left. The mandap glowed with golden lights, drawing in families, children, and elders, all eager for darshan.
I joined the stream of devotees and paused to admire the grand setup – Bappa seated royally on a tall throne, flanked by two magnificent peacocks, with Khatu Shyamji depicted in the backdrop.
In that moment, amidst the chants and the festive energy, it truly felt as if Ganpati Bappa’s blessings and presence filled the entire atmosphere.
Nashikcha Chintamani
Just a little ahead on the same lane stood the dazzling Nashikcha Chintamani, one of the most eye-catching mandals of the evening. The idol of Bappa was seated on a shimmering golden throne, glowing brightly under the lights.
What immediately drew attention were the nine grand chandeliers hanging in layers from the ceiling, casting a royal aura over the entire setup. Adding to the grandeur, the mandap featured galloping horse statues on either side of the entrance, symbolizing energy and forward momentum.
The blend of gold, purple drapes, and sparkling lights created a majestic setting that had devotees stopping to click pictures before moving ahead for darshan. Standing in the crowd, I could feel the collective excitement, as chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” echoed through the narrow lane.
Devdhar Lane Youth Seva Foundation
Walking a bit further, I reached the mandap of the Devdhar Lane Youth Seva Foundation. The Ganesha idol here was more traditional in appearance, seated gracefully with divine simplicity, while a tall Durga Mata idol stood above, symbolizing power and protection.
What made this mandal truly stand out was its spirit of seva (service). Along with darshan and prasad distribution, the volunteers were serving steaming plates of tasty veg pulao to devotees.
The aroma of the food filled the narrow lane, and families, children, and elders alike sat together to enjoy the prasad meal, creating an atmosphere of warmth and community beyond worship.
Ganeshotsav at Raviwar Karanja
Further I walked towards the wide, bustling Raviwar Karanja traffic circle, where the festive atmosphere reached another level. Families with children, elders, vendors selling toys and food, and a steady stream of vehicles created a vibrant, living picture of Ganeshotsav in Nashik.
At the heart of the circle stood the historic Chandicha Ganpati temple, where the Raviwar Karanja Ganeshotsav Mandal continues its long-standing tradition of devotion.
Just a few steps away, the Shri Shyam Ganesh Mandal had recreated the grandeur of the Khatu Shyam temple, complete with a distinct Rajasthani touch. The air resonated with soulful bhajans dedicated to Khatu Shyamji, adding a devotional rhythm to the bustling scene.
The entire Raviwar Karanja circle was alive with Ganpati Bappa’s blessings, as devotees moved from one mandap to another, soaking in the divine darshan and festive joy.
Ganeshotsav at Panchavati Karanja
Crossing the Ahilyabai Holkar bridge over the Godavari, I reached the vibrant Panchavati Karanja traffic circle.
Gurudutt Shaikshanik Samajik Kala Krida Mandal
Here, the Gurudutt Shaikshanik Samajik Kala Krida Mandal, now in its 39th year, had set up a grand mechanised tableau of Samudra Manthan. The play unfolded in short intervals of about ten minutes, drawing large crowds.
The scene showed the Devas and Asuras standing on opposite sides, pulling mighty serpent Vasuki wound around Mount Mandara, churning the ocean for celestial treasures.
As the waves rose, the dreaded halahal poison emerged—and the moment Lord Shiva appeared, lifted the poison, and drank it to save all of creation, the entire crowd broke into loud chants of “Har Har Mahadev!”
Devotees clapped, folded their hands in reverence, and many children watched in awe at the powerful depiction.
The festive spirit was all around – families strolling with children, food vendors selling snacks, and women traders, many from Gujarat, displaying colorful clothes and accessories, perhaps already preparing for the upcoming Navratri season!.
Ganpati Mandals at Dindori Naka
A short 2–3 minute walk from Panchavati Karanja brought me to Dindori Naka, near the Nimani bus stand, where two pandals were drawing massive crowds of devotees.
Prem Friend Circle Panchavati
The first, set up by Prem Friend Circle Panchavati, had a grand idol of Ganpati Bappa seated on a tall throne blessing the devotees.
What stood out here was their unique prasad offering – devotees were being served fresh sheera along with daalimb (pomegranate) creating a sense of both devotion and community sharing.
Panchavaticha Raja
Just ahead, right at the busy Dindori Naka junction, the Bhadak Darwaja Bahuuddeshiya Sevabhavi Sanstha had installed a majestic idol of Ganpati Bappa as Panchavaticha Raja, styled very much like Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja.
The grandeur of the throne, the sheer height of the idol, and the sea of devotees surrounding it created an awe-inspiring atmosphere. I was fortunate to join in for the evening aarti here, where the beats of the dhol-tasha and the chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya!” echoed through the entire junction.
From aartis echoing in unison to children clutching toys and families sharing prasad, the festival truly turned Nashik into one big family under the loving gaze of Ganpati Bappa. The colors, chants, and togetherness of Ganeshotsav left behind an emotion that will linger long after the celebrations end.
✨ Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya! 🙏🙏🙏
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