Origami Mitra Wonderfold 2016 exhibition and workshop in Mumbai

Origami Mitra is organizing a unique event in Mumbai, Maharashtra namely 'Wonderfold 2016' which showcases beautiful origami designs created from paper. There will also be workshops every hour during the duration of the event. Don't miss it! 

Mumbai Police at Republic Day parade 2016

Like in past years, it was exciting to view the Republic Day parade at the Shivaji Park grounds in Mumbai, Maharashtra. The smartly marching squads, the music bands and the colourful floats - it was a matter of pride to be present on this momentous occasion. Below are snapshots of the Mumbai police squads, with more images to be uploaded in the days to come.

2015 Republic Day parade Mumbai Sanjay Gandhi National Park float

With the 2016 Republic Day fast approaching , let's go back and have a look at the floats showcased at last year's parade at the Shivaji park grounds in Mumbai, Maharashtra. As usual, the floats were awesome. 

One of these which stood out with its sheer vibrant colours and detailed designing was that of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), located at Borivali, Mumbai. It deserves a blog post all to itself!

2015 Durga Puja Pandal Shivaji Park Mumbai images

As in past years, on the occasion of Dussehra festivities, the traditions of Durga puja can be seen in all its splendor at the Bengal Club's pandal at Shivaji Park, Mumbai. 

The entrance is dominated by a huge sculptural creation of Lord Shiva with the Kailash moumtains forming the backdrop. 

In front of Lord Shiva are the 9 incarnations of the Devi, each depicted traditionally seated on a mount.

Mumbai to Lonavala Seaplane Service schedule and prices

Last month the first seaplane service on India's mainland was launched to take travellers from Mumbai to Lonavala. The air journey takes just about half an hour and provides a novel experience of landing on water instead of on land. What's more, travellers get a superb view from the air of a few of Mumbai's well known landmarks, such as Haji Ali, the sea link connecting Bandra and Worli, Mandwa beach, etc.

2014 Dadarcha Raja Ganapati pandal photos

One of the most prominent and popular Sarvajanik Ganesh pandals in Mumbai is the one at Dadar which is home to "Dadarcha Raja", referring to Lord Ganesha as the King of Dadar area, Mumbai city. This pandal is put up annually by the Vitthalwadi Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.

2013 Bengal Club Shivaji Park Mumbai Durga Puja Pandal

The Durga Puja organized by the Bengal Club, Shivaji Park, Mumbai is one of the most popular pandals in the city. Last year, the pandal’s design was centered on Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home, Thakur Bari, the ancestral home of Rabindranath Tagore (see details here). 

This year, the design is a replica of the famous Bishnupur Temple in Bankura District, West Bengal. For a special touch, the decorations have been done by artistes from Shantineketan.

2013 Dandiya Raas Garba Navratri Venues Mumbai

It is that time of the year when it is time to learn and practice your dance moves for Garba & Dandiya Raas! Mumbai city is the place to be, to enjoy the colourful musical public events at various venues. 

Other than the most popular one, where Falguni Pathak performs live, there are other places too where you can dance to your heart's content to the latest Bollywood beats & traditional numbers.

Visiting RBI museum Mumbai

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), which is India’s official monetary authority, has set up a museum in Maharashtra’s capital city Mumbai. 

The goal of the museum is to provide documentation and preserve the heritage of India’s financial instruments as well as to educate people on the concept of money over the ages. 

In fact, the museum not only showcases currency just from India but also from other parts of the globe & takes you back in time to the time when punched coins existed.

2013 Ram Maruti Road Dadar Ganapati pandal

A well-known landmark in central Mumbai is the Shiv Sena Bhavan, headquarters of the Shiv Sena political party. The organizers who have set up the Ram Maruti Road Ganapati pandal have this year re-created the Shiv Sena Bhavan. It has been done very realistically both on the exterior and in the interior. Do visit it!

2013 Dadarcha Raja Ganapati pandal

The photos in this blog post are of the Dadarcha Raja located at R.K.Vaidya Road, opp. Kotwal Udyan, Dadar (West), Mumbai.

Divekar Ganapati Murti Makers

The Ganapati idols here have been created by Divekar Ganapati murti makers.

They are based in Kalyan but you can see these idols at at Dadar, at R.K.Vaidya Road (opposite Kotwal Udyan), Dadar (West), Mumbai.

Shubham Mangalmurti Arts Ganapati Murti Makers

Want to see a stunning range of Ganapati idols? Head to Shubham Mangalmurti Arts at Dadar. They truly have the widest range of Ganapati idols from small-sized ones to those over 4 feet in height. There are idols of Bal Ganesha, Lalbaughcha Raja, Ganesha and Shirdi Sai Baba, Ganapati playing instruments, Ganesha as Krishna, Bal Ganesha with his parents Lord Shiva & Goddess Parvati, etc. What's more, they are very life like, so much so that you feel as though one idol is smiling at you while another is listening attentively to what you have to say, while the mischief is evident in a Bal Ganesh murti.

The most unusual of them all is Lord Ganesha seated on Spiderman!! This idol is an indication that even superheroes are inferior to the heavenly beings. Also see their 2014 idols here.

Shri Ashtavinayak Chitrashala Ganapati Murti makers

For a great variety of beautifully designed Ganapati idols, from cute Bal Ganesh idols to tall imposing ones with elaborate head gear, you should visit the stall set up by the murti makers of Shri Ashtravinayak Chitrashala. 

They sell idols for Ganesh Chaturthi sourced from the famed abode of Lord Ganesha - Pen, Maharashtra.

Randive Ganapati Murti makers

Randive Ganapatiwale are well known idol makers who create beautiful Ganapati idols. They are based in Dadar and you can check out their idols which are on display a month before Ganesh Chaturthi. The photos in this blog are the idols they have made.

Where to buy and book online eco-friendly clay Ganapati idols in Mumbai

Ganapati idols made of Plaster of Paris are extremely harmful to the environment because during immersion of the idols the material does not dissolve in water for hundreds of years. It is therefore advisable to buy eco-friendly idols made from clay (known as Shadu), which dissolve within an hour of immersion. Supporting this eco-friendly activity is the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB). In collaboration with the Nirmaljyot Charitable Trust, MPCB has launched the Eco Ganesha program through which it is selling Shadu Ganesha idols at over two dozen outlets in the city of Mumbai and its suburbs.

2012 Shivaji Park Bengal Club Durga Pandal

Shivaji Park's Bengal Club celebrated its 77th annual Durga Puja this year. The pandal, designed by art director Abhishek Redkar, was centered on Rabindranath Tagore's ancestral home. Nobel laureate Tagore was born in Thakur Bari, a red brick house which today is a museum located on the campus of the Rabindra Bharati University at Jorasanko, Kolkata. See photos of the 2013 pandal, a replica of Bishnupur Temples here.

GSB Seva Mandal Mumbai Gold Ganesha

The Gaud Saraswat Seva Mandal (GSB) is a charitable, non-profit organisation which is well-known not just for its well organised annual Ganeshotsav celebrations but also for being selflessly involved in philanthropic activities. In addition to providing financial assistance to needy people, it provides medical assistance to the deserving & conducts funerals for those who cannot afford it. Each year the GSB mandal also arranges for outdoor visits to temples & other places for senior citizens.

Where to buy Eco friendly Ganesha Idols in Mumbai Thane Navi Mumbai

An eco-friendly Ganesha Idol is made from natural clay and natural colours are used, such as yellow from turmeric powder. Such idols dissolve easily in water and can even be immersed in a bucket of water at home itself without the need to take it to a local water body such as a tank, river or sea. More and more people are becoming conscious of the need to protect fragile Mother Nature & stop the widespread ruin of the local environment.

Mumbai police and vehicles at 2012 Shivaji Park Republic Day parade

The Mumbai Police personnel at the 2012 Republic Day parade at Shivaji Park, Mumbai made an impressive sight. There were different units of the police force, including traffic policemen, and included in the parade were their specially equipped vehicles.