The Navi Mumbai Cha Raja, the oldest and most prestigious Ganeshotsav in Navi Mumbai, is hosted by Shiv Chhaya Mitra Mandal. This year’s celebration will celebrate the event’s 54th year, and it will begin on Saturday, September 7. The festival is being held at Sector 21, Turbhe’s CIDCO Ground. The theme for this year provides a magnificent look into the crowning of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in history.

The 54th Ganeshotsav festival is expected to be a spectacular show that blends social consciousness with traditional revelry. An amazing model measuring 80 feet long by 40 feet broad by 25 feet tall, which depicts the crowning of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Raigad Fort in 1674, is the main attraction of this year’s celebration.

This is complemented by a 10-foot-tall idol of Lord Ganesha kept inside a beautifully crafted mandap.

The Mandal president, Ankush Vaiti, expressed enthusiasm for this year’s topic. “We expect our 54th Ganeshotsav to be a feast for the eyes and the soul. Alongside the enormous idol of Lord Ganesha, the magnificent depiction of Shivaji Maharaj’s coronation is guaranteed to draw sizable visitors and offer an enlightening experience,” he stated.

Amol Pashte of Chembur, Mumbai, created the coronation show, and Kunal Dingankar sculpted the Lord Ganesha sculpture. This year’s festival, dubbed Navi Mumbai-cha Raja with fondness, will highlight modern societal challenges in addition to traditional celebrations.

Maintaining its legacy of promoting social responsibility, Shiv Chhaya Mitra Mandal is highlighting the significance of hygiene and cutting back on single-use plastics. Informative posters will be used in awareness efforts, and cloth bags will be given out to supporters to promote eco-friendly behavior.

Along with a host of other activities, the ten-day celebration will include an Ayurvedic health camp, speeches, devotional music, free meals, and religious ceremonies like Satyanarayan Puja and the Atharvashirsh reading. More attractions that promise to provide guests with a lively and interesting experience include many rides, games, restaurants, and novelty stalls.

The Shiv Chhaya Mitra Mandal promises a spectacular celebration for everyone as the festival progresses by upholding its tradition by fusing historical grandeur with a dedication to social development.

Early Tuesday morning, train services at Nerul station in Navi Mumbai faced severe disruptions due to a malfunction with the Overhead Equipment (OHE) on a local train. This incident caused significant delays for commuters travelling between Vashi, Panvel, and Thane, impacting thousands of passengers who rely on this crucial railway link.

The problems began at approximately 04:55 AM when the OHE, an essential component that powers the electric trains, failed in one of the carriages. This malfunction halted all up-and-down train movements, creating a ripple effect on the punctuality and scheduling of services across the affected routes.

According to the Mumbai Central Divisional Railway Manager, the disruption resulted in a complete standstill of train operations between Vashi and Panvel. Commuters were left stranded, and many were forced to seek alternative modes of transportation, leading to increased congestion on roadways and added stress for daily travelers.

Central Railways promptly mobilized teams to address the issue. The restoration work commenced shortly after the initial report of the malfunction, with engineers and technicians working tirelessly to repair the OHE and restore normalcy. By 06:56 AM, the restoration efforts had been completed, and train services resumed. However, the initial delays caused by the breakdown led to a cascading effect on the schedules, with many trains running behind their expected times.

Commuters are advised to check real-time updates and train schedules before traveling. The railway authorities have promised to provide further information and support for those affected by the delays.

This incident highlights the critical role of timely maintenance and quick response in managing railway operations, underscoring the need for continued investment in infrastructure to ensure the smooth functioning of one of Mumbai’s busiest transportation networks.

Panvel locals said a tearful goodbye to their beloved Ganapati Bappa on Sunday, wishing him to return early the following year, as the joyous sounds of Ganesh Chaturthi reverberated throughout the city (pudhchya varshi lavkar ya). The community was heavily involved in the 1.5-day immersion, which got underway on Saturday with “Ganpati Bappa Morya” shouts.

This year, 89 specified locations were enabled by the Panvel Municipal Corporation, with oversight from Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale.

This comprised 48 man-made ponds with distinct pools for Shadu clay and plaster of Paris (POP) Ganpati’s in addition to 41 natural immersion places. The locations have all the necessary amenities, including Nirmalya Kalash, stage setups, electrical systems, CCTV, and security personnel.

At 5 p.m., the immersion procedure began, and it lasted until 11 p.m. Department representatives, including Commissioner Chitale, kept a careful eye on the planning and administration.

Commendably, five unique ‘Nirmalya Raths,’ as proposed by Deputy Commissioner Dr. Vaibhav Vidhate, were set up to gather Nirmalya from more than 250 Ganesha Mandals spread across the municipal territory. The objectives of this program were to promote environmental sustainability and efficient garbage management. Approximately 1,500 tons of Nirmalya were collected during the immersion. Dedicated crews are cleaning up the Visarjan Ghats, and plans are in place to turn this garbage into agar batti and incense sticks.

 In addition, the Panvel Municipal Corporation honored followers who placed a high value on environmental preservation by submerging idols made of plaster of Paris and Shadu clay in the man-made lakes. In appreciation of their commitment to a greener Ganeshotsav, certificates were given out.

Municipal Commissioner Mangesh Chitale said, “This year’s immersion activities have set a benchmark for community participation and environmental stewardship, reflecting the city’s commitment to preserving cultural traditions while promoting sustainability.”