# Driving in Mumbai During Ganpati | This Happened at Bandstand
In this exciting Sandy and Karan Mumbai vlog, we take you on a ride through the heart of Mumbai during one of the most vibrant festivals in the city - Ganpati! Ganpati, or Ganesh Chaturthi, is one of the biggest festivals celebrated across Maharashtra, and Mumbai comes alive with devotion, color, and energy during this time. We decided to take advantage of a sunny Sunday to explore the city and witness all the Ganpati festivities firsthand. Our journey took us through some of the most popular and iconic neighborhoods in Mumbai - Lokhandwala, Versova, Bandra, and finally, the iconic Bandstand.
For those who don’t know, the Ganpati festival is an annual 10-day celebration where idols of Lord Ganesha are installed in homes and public pandals (temporary structures) all across Mumbai. It’s a time of worship, music, dance, and an incredible sense of community. On the roads, you'll see people taking part in processions with music and drums as they move toward the sea for the Ganpati Visarjan - the ritual immersion of Ganesha idols into the water.
In our vlog, we kicked off our Sunday drive from Lokhandwala, which was buzzing with small pandals and local celebrations. Lokhandwala and Versova are two areas in Andheri that come alive during the Ganpati festival, with beautiful decorations and a festive vibe. We drove through these areas, soaking in the colorful scenes and the joy on people’s faces as they prepared for the evening aartis (rituals) and celebrations. These neighborhoods are some of our favorite places to visit during any festival, and they did not disappoint this time either.
Our next stop was Bandra, one of Mumbai’s most iconic suburbs. The streets of Bandra were buzzing with activity as people moved from one Ganpati pandal to another. The festival in Bandra is celebrated with grandeur, and the entire area was decorated with lights and banners honoring Lord Ganesha. Driving through the winding streets of Bandra, you can’t help but be swept up in the festive atmosphere. As we made our way toward Bandstand, we couldn't help but reminisce - it had been five long years since we last visited Bandstand, and we were curious to see how it had changed.
Finally, we reached Bandstand - one of Mumbai’s most famous seafronts and a popular hangout spot for locals and tourists alike. As we parked and took a walk along the promenade, we were greeted with a mix of nostalgia and excitement. The place had certainly changed, with new cafes, stalls, and a larger crowd than we remembered. But one thing remained the same - the incredible view of the Arabian Sea and the Bandra-Worli Sea Link in the distance. Driving to Bandstand during the Ganpati festival felt surreal. The contrast of the city’s fast pace, the crowd celebrating Ganpati, and the serene sea made for a unique experience.
While we were there, we discovered that many families had come to Bandstand after visiting nearby pandals to relax and enjoy the cool sea breeze. It was a peaceful moment amidst the chaos of the festival, and we couldn’t help but feel grateful for the little things that make Mumbai special - its people, its energy, and its resilience.
The Ganpati festival, though filled with devotion and celebration, also brings with it the famous Mumbai traffic. And while navigating through the city’s bustling streets may sound like a challenge, it’s an adventure in itself. In this vlog, we show you what it’s really like driving through Mumbai during Ganpati - from the decorated streets to the traffic jams to the sheer joy of being a part of this massive celebration.
As we wrapped up our drive, we reflected on what an incredible day it had been. Driving through Mumbai, seeing the Ganpati festival in full swing, and revisiting Bandstand brought back so many memories for us. If you love Mumbai like we do, then you know that this city is unlike any other. It’s chaotic, it’s crowded, but it’s also full of life, especially during the Ganpati festival.
For those of you planning to visit Mumbai during the Ganpati festival, just know that while traffic can be a challenge, it’s worth it to experience the sheer energy and devotion that the city offers during this time. And if you’re like us and love driving around the city, then you’ll find that even amidst the traffic, there’s beauty to be found in every corner.
In this vlog, we hope to capture the essence of what it’s like to drive around Mumbai during Ganpati and what makes the city so special during this time. If you’re a fan of Sandy and Karan Vlogs, you know that we love showcasing the best of Mumbai, from our Bandra vlog to our Versova vlog, and this latest Mumbai vlog is no different. We hope you enjoy watching it as much as we enjoyed making it.
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