GSB Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti Wadala Ganapati pandal 2014

The Gaud Saraswat Brahmin (GSB) Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti is known in Mumbai to be one of the richest mandals. 

Each year, the Ganapati idol of the mandal is bedecked with tonnes of gold jewellery and seated on a golden throne. I visited the pandal this year (60th year of the GSB mandal) and below are the general details and photos. You are strongly advised to carry a bag to take home the traditional snacks, pappads and pickle which are specially on sale during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival!

Shubham Mangalmurti Arts Ganapati idols 2014

As I mentioned in my last year's blog post, Shubham Mangalmurti Arts create a wide variety of beautiful Ganapati idols. The idol makers are from Satara and each year they sell their idols in the Dadar area of Mumbai. 

This year they have set up their idols in a large space on the first floor of a building undergoing construction. So take care when going up there as there are heaps of rubble downstairs.

Dining at Cloud9 Hills Resort Lonavala

The restaurant at Cloud9 resort is spacious and comfortable with a large screen wall TV. There are a few flies though which are kept at bay when the fans are switched on. 

A corner of the area is a kidz zone for toddlers. A TT & Billiards table is on one side and doors from the restaurant lead out to the pool.

Staying at Cloud9 Hills Resort Lonavala

We stayed at Cloud9 resort for 3 nights (arrived on a Sunday morning and departed early on Wednesday morning). We got a discount as we had booked for 6 people for the 3 nights, so do ask about special discounts when booking. The tariff was extremely reasonable & included breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner.

Cloud9 Hills Resort Lonavala review

We discovered Cloud9 Hills resort via the Tripadvisor site. While the older reviews were mixed, the more recent ones were good and hence we decided to stay there for a short break (13th to 15th April 2014). Also, the tariff was a big attraction for us, since it included not just breakfast, as is the case with most hotels & resorts, but all meals.

BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra performance in Mumbai April 2014

NCPA, in collaboration with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, is hosting musicians from the Royal Conservatoire Scotland. They will perform on April 5^th and 6^th, 2014 in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

NCPA Summer Fiesta May to June 2014

National Centre for the Performing Arts (NCPA) Mumbai is conducting a fun-filled summer fiesta for boys and girls of all ages from 2^nd May to 1^st June, 2014. There will be lots of activity-based workshops, plays, films and more.