MUMBAI: Tall balancing Ganesh idols are the flavour of the season. The joints are almost invisible, and some idols appear to be suspended midair.Parelcha MaharajaReplicating his 2025 feat which took the city by storm, sculptor Arun Datte has carved the 22 ft balancing moorti of Parelcha Maharaja. Onlookers gazed in amazement at the Ganesh idol — tilted around 45 degrees — during its aagman yatra on Aug 29. Mandal spokesperson Ashwin Gangan says the Maharaja appears to be flying midair, dancing to the rhythm of traditional musical instruments. The mesmerising effect was heightened by the fact that the mandal chose to play similar dhol tasha music on the aagman journey. Thousands of visitors are making a beeline for darshan.Mumbai Cha Maharaja, KhetwadiTwo mandals have claimed theirs is the tallest idol in Maharashtra, one in Khetwadi the other in Sakinaka. The giant Mumbaicha Maharaja of Khetwadi spans 45 ft and is cast in Narasimha avatar, says mandal president Hemant Dixit. “Narasimha is the fourth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Our idol has been crafted by Sunil Varadkar who has been carving for us since 2024.” The mandal has been making large idols since 25 years, initially with master sculptor Vijay Khatu. Given the recent mishap in Bhuleshwar, Dixit says it is essential that tall heavy idols are crafted with perfect balance along the main pipe, arms and legs. The trolley is a crucial component to achieve a smooth ride.Sakinakyacha Maharaja, AndheriMoortikar Krunal Patil has carved the 42 ft tall Sakinakyacha Maharaja which its mandal claims is Maharashtra’s tallest Ganpati of 2026. President Jitendra Gaikwad says the idol is cast in Martand Malhar style. Secretary Jack Jikamade says the Maharaja has gained approval and recognition as Mumbai’s tallest Ganesh idol this season from the Winners Book of World Records whose officials visited them on Sept 15 and bestowed the honour.Mumbaicha Peshwa, Vile Parle (East)The joints of this Ganpati seated midair are virtually invisible. Tissue paper moortikar Rajesh Mayekar has carved a balancing tableau of the Saptarshi along with Goddess Saraswati. Mandal chief Vijay Naikude says, “Through our chalchitra, we are making people aware how to be good citizens. May Lord Ganesh give us the wisdom to rid ourselves of vices.” The Peshwa is introducing a new concept named ‘Majhi Murti Majhi Zawabdari’. Naikude says, “Setting a new record in Mumbai perhaps, our mandal will perform immersion using a sprinkler to melt our tissue paper idol. We will conduct visarjan right here in Hanuman Road. We will not visit any lake or pond.”Akhil Chandanwadi, Marine LinesAkhil Chandanwadi near Marine Lines is approaching its 50th year in 2028. Mandal chief Prathamesh Sakpal says, “Popularly known as ‘God (sweet) Ganpati’, our 27-ft idol has been sculpted by moortikar Siddhesh Dighole. It tells the backstory of Kedarnath jyotirling which embodies Lord Shiva. Ganesh is shown wielding a trident and damru, and holding the hump of Shiva’s bull Nandi, protecting the values of dharma and devotion.“
