Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: 7 rare old photos that take you back to Ganpati celebrations in old Bombay

Written By: Alice Topno | Updated: Sep 14, 2026, 4:09 PM

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Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Take a look at rare old photographs that show how Ganpati celebrations, idols, processions, and visarjan have changed over the decades.

Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: 7 Vintage photos of Ganpati celebrations that show a different era of Mumbai — Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: 7 Vintage photos of Ganpati celebrations that show a different era of Mumbai

Ganesh Chaturthi has always been about devotion, community and bringing people together, but the way the festival looks today is very different from what it was decades ago. Old photographs of Bombay and Mumbai capture a simpler side of Ganpati celebrations, from modest idols and neighbourhood gatherings to packed streets and grand visarjan processions. These pictures offer a glimpse into how the festival has grown while keeping some of its oldest traditions alive. This year Ganesh Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 14, 2026, marking the start of the 10-day festival. From the early public celebrations to the massive idols seen today, here is a look back through photographs.

Ganesh Chaturthi in 1931: A rare glimpse of Ganpati celebrations in pre-Independence Bombay. — Ganesh Chaturthi in 1931: A rare glimpse of Ganpati celebrations in pre-Independence Bombay.

Archival footage from 1931 shows Ganpati Visarjan at Chowpatty in Bombay. The visuals capture devotees carrying idols through the streets before taking them towards the water for immersion. The footage also shows the fair atmosphere around the festival, with crowds, food stalls, and other activities.

Lalbaugcha Raja in 1940: The iconic Mumbai Ganpati looked very different in its early years. — Lalbaugcha Raja in 1940: The iconic Mumbai Ganpati looked very different in its early years.

This photograph of Lalbaugcha Raja from 1940 shows the idol seated on a decorated throne. The black-and-white image gives a glimpse of the traditional style used for the idol at the time. Lalbaugcha Raja was first installed in 1934 and has since become one of Mumbai's most famous Ganpati idols.

1940 Ganpati Visarjan procession in Bombay: Even then, managing the huge festival crowds was a major task. — 1940 Ganpati Visarjan procession in Bombay: Even then, managing the huge festival crowds was a major task.

This photograph shows a policeman directing traffic during a Ganpati Visarjan procession in Bombay in 1940. Devotees can be seen moving through the city's streets, while the policeman stands on a desk to manage the crowd. The picture is a fascinating reminder of how old the city's organised visarjan tradition is.

Ganpati Visarjan In 1964: Streets of Bombay turned into a sea of devotees during visarjan. — Ganpati Visarjan In 1964: Streets of Bombay turned into a sea of devotees during visarjan.

This 1964 photograph shows a giant Ganpati idol being carried through a packed Bombay street near Opera House Junction. The idol is mounted on a vehicle and surrounded by a huge crowd, showing that large public celebrations were already an important part of Ganesh Chaturthi. The black-and-white image also captures the look and feel of the city from that era.

Ganpati visarjan in 1965: The emotion of visarjan has remained remarkably familiar. — Ganpati visarjan in 1965: The emotion of visarjan has remained remarkably familiar.

This 1965 photograph captures devotees standing in the sea as a huge Ganesha idol is taken into the water. Men, women and children can be seen gathered around the idol during the immersion. Ganpati Visarjan marks the emotional final day of Ganeshotsav when devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha.

Ganpati Pandal: Some old pandals were simple, intimate and heavily decorated with flowers. — Ganpati Pandal: Some old pandals were simple, intimate and heavily decorated with flowers.

A vintage photograph from Mumbai's Keshavji Naik Chawl shows a relatively small Ganpati idol surrounded by flowers and traditional decorations. The pandal has a very different feel from the elaborate themed installations seen across Mumbai today. The celebrations at this historic location are linked to the city's early public Ganeshotsav tradition.

Old Bombay to modern Mumbai: Celebrations have grown, but the heart of Ganesh Chaturthi remains the same. — Old Bombay to modern Mumbai: Celebrations have grown, but the heart of Ganesh Chaturthi remains the same.

From small neighbourhood idols to towering public Ganpatis, the scale of Ganesh Chaturthi has changed dramatically over the decades. Modern celebrations feature bigger pandals, elaborate themes, music, lighting, and more creativity. Yet the central traditions - welcoming Bappa, offering prayers and saying an emotional goodbye during visarjan continue to connect today's celebrations.

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