When it’s Ganesh Chaturthi, the craze among Maharashtrians is unbeatable, and with the festival just around the corner, Mumbai’s iconic pandals are all set to welcome Bappa. Celebrated on a grand scale, Mumbai hosts pandals across various parts of the city. One of the most famous among them is Raja Tejukayacha in Lalbaug. This pandal stands out not only for its size and beauty but also for its eco-friendly idol, a tradition that has been carried forward for years. Read to know more.
Eco-Friendly Raja Tejukayacha Idol In Mumbai
Ganeshotsav 2025 is just around the corner, and we are already buzzing with excitement. One of the main reasons for excitement is the return of Raja Tejukayacha, and while devotees wait for this year’s idol, according to The Free Press Journal, sculptor Rajan Zad has created a 22-foot-tall paper idol in a majestic warrior avatar. Rajan Zad represents the fourth generation of his family’s idol-making tradition.
Raja Tejukayacha is different from other statues because of its eco-friendly approach. Since 2019, this statue at the pandal has been prepared with paper, gum, powder, and coconut husk. Even for painting the idol, they use natural colour that makes the statue entirely biodegradable. On the visarjan day, the idol dissolves seamlessly into water, without causing any harm to nature.
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Raja Tejukayacha Guinness World Records
Did you know that Raja Tejukayacha’s idol was recognised as the world’s largest eco-friendly Ganpati? In 2019, it was recognised globally and entered Guinness World Records as the world’s largest eco-friendly Ganpati. To keep the devotees excited and offer something creative every year, Rajan Zad and his son Vidhish often turn creative while sculpting Bappa’s idol. Till now, one of their most unique ideas was a Ganpati idol made with dried and used flowers.
The Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal was formed in 1967. Their journey began when Vitthal Zad sculpted the first 14-foot idol of Raja Tejukayacha. Now Raja Tejukayacha idol is prepared with cotton, paper, and more to keep it eco-friendly. It shows that festivals and sustainability can go hand in hand.
Soon, Raja Tejukayacha will arrive in Lalbaugh and devotees can’t wait to catch his glimpse.
Also Read: Ganeshotsav 2025: Mumbai Metro To Run Till Midnight, Add 12 Extra Trips Till Sept 6 To Manage Rush
Cover Image Courtesy: X/ganeshotsav2025