Ganeshotsav 2026: Nagpur pandals that are a sight to see

Bappa has arrived in Nagpur and the entire city is steeped in the glow of Ganeshotsav. Different mandals across the city have transformed their neighbourhoods into worlds of devotion, art, mythology and imagination. Some have recreated the Alandi temple, others a golden chariot from Sri Lanka, while a few pandals feature Hogwarts, Disneyland, Govardhan Hill and an entirely different fantasy world.

Shri Dakshinamurti Swayamsevak Ganeshotsav Mandal in the Mahal area has a history of more than a hundred years. This time the mandal has recreated the famous Alandi temple from Pune. The decoration marks the 750th birth anniversary of Sant Dnyaneshwar Maharaj, and a 14 foot tall Ganesh idol has been placed at its centre. Temple like architecture and a devotional atmosphere make it one of the city's oldest and most striking pandals.

Mahal has another big attraction. Shri Pataleshwar Ganeshotsav Mandal is celebrating its 71st year and has built a magnificent tableau inspired by the Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna, Sri Lanka. It features a grand replica of the temple's famous golden chariot along with South Indian style architecture. At the centre of this pandal is a nearly 12 foot tall Ganesh idol, known locally as the King of Mahal.

Vivekananda Nagar Ganesh Utsav Cultural Seva Trust has built a large Disneyland themed pandal this year, which is proving especially popular with children and families. The structure is about 75 feet tall and 120 feet wide, and artisans worked for weeks to build it. It has colourful characters and several spots for photographs.

For Harry Potter fans, the pandal in Ramakrishna Nagar stands out. The Ganesh Utsav Mandal here has recreated the world of Hogwarts, including glimpses of the Great Hall, hostel rooms, moving staircases and the library. Lord Ganesh has been seated within the library tableau, along with references to Indian literature and mythology. Characters such as Hagrid and Buckbeak, along with silhouettes of figures riding flying broomsticks, are also part of this pandal.

For those interested in mythology, the pandal in Tatya Tope Nagar is worth a visit. Tatya Tope Nagar Nagrik Mandal Ganesh Utsav Samiti has chosen the theme of Govardhan Hill this year, showing Lord Krishna lifting the mountain to protect the people and animals of Vrindavan. Several episodes from Krishna Leela are also depicted through tableaux, including Krishna's birth, the butter theft, the slaying of Kaliya, the killing of Kansa, the meeting with Sudama and the Raas Leela.

A lane near Zenda Chowk in Dharampeth has taken on a divine form this Ganeshotsav. Shri Ganesh Utsav Mandal here has built a Vaikuntha Dham tableau inspired by the abode of Lord Vishnu, which also includes glimpses of Sheshnag and the churning of the ocean. As it does every year, the mandal is also presenting tableaux based on the Ramayana, featuring Ram, Sita and Hanuman.

Shri Sarvajanik Bal Ganesh Utsav Mandal in Bhende Layout has moved away from conventional decoration this year, choosing the theme of ancient Indian science and technology. It includes handmade structures, fine ironwork, pillars and moving parts. The theme of this pandal is knowledge, spirituality and self purification, linking wisdom, spirituality and scientific achievement.

For something completely different, Yuvak Ganesh Mandal in Trimurti Nagar is the answer. Here, an imaginative presentation called Elements of the Universe has been created, showing an unusual fantasy world instead of a temple or historical structure, with countless imaginary creatures and unusual visual elements. The theme depicts the relationship between different elements and directions, with Nagpur shown as the central point.

For those without time to visit all eight pandals, in brief: the Dakshinamurti Mandal in Mahal for architecture, the Pataleshwar Mandal in Mahal for devotion, Disneyland in Vivekananda Nagar for a family outing, Hogwarts in Ramakrishna Nagar for the youth, the Govardhan Leela in Tatya Tope Nagar for mythology, Vaikuntha Dham in Dharampeth for traditional grandeur, the ancient Indian science and technology theme in Bhende Layout for knowledge, and the Elements of the Universe theme in Trimurti Nagar for something different.

People in Nagpur can, if they wish, go beyond a single pandal and tour Ganpati pandals across the city. A start can be made from the historic Mahal area, which has several traditional and architecturally striking attractions, followed by the pandals in Dharampeth, Vivekananda Nagar, Ramakrishna Nagar, Tatya Tope Nagar, Bhende Layout and Trimurti Nagar. Families can seek Bappa's blessings together and see up close the effort put in by hundreds of artists, volunteers and mandal members. In Nagpur, Ganeshotsav is not just about bringing Bappa home; the entire city becomes Bappa's home.