Suneil Shetty, Shreyas Talpade, Amrita Rao at the Times Utsav Moorti Sanman in Mumbai

As the judging for Times Utsav Moorti Sanman Contest begins, celebrity judges visited some of the shortlisted mandals. Here’s a look at three of them, apart from Lalbaug Cha Raja.
Khetwadi 12th Galli Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal Theme: Khetwadicha Ganraj enjoys a pride of place in a colourful Navrang Mahal. The main attraction of the moorti is the mukut, encrusted with a 150-metre strip of American diamonds.Height of the moorti: 14 ft Timings: Open 24 hours Number of visitors: Approx 30-35,000 per day
Suniel Shetty: I have been religiously visiting this mandal for the past 27 years. Since I was four years old, I would sit on the board of the restaurant that my dad owned at Lamington Road. That was the route to Girgaum Chowpatty, the only place where Ganpatis were immersed. We would provide water to the devotees from morning to evening and eagerly wait for the RK and Dukes Ganpatis, which were the biggest.
Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
Theme: A 30-feet high, centrally air-conditioned Icchapurti Ganesh Palace has been created as the local area was named Icchapurti Ganesh marg after the mandal's Ganpati idol last year. Handpainted by professionals working on the sets of TV show Bharat Ka Veer Putra — Maharana Pratap, the palace boasts of intricate Rajasthani designs on its walls and ceiling. Height of the moorti: 11 ft Timings: Open 24 hours Number of visitors: Approx 10,000 per day
Amrita Rao: I don’t believe in the concept of visarjan, but celebrate this festival every year, indulging in homemade delicacies. We pray to a small, silver Ganesha at home. My family makes it a point to decorate the house and prepare delicacies. My favourite is the traditional Maharashtrian ukadiche modak that we made this year, too.

Sahyadri Krida Mandal, Tilak Nagar
Theme: The ghats of Varanasi with steps leading to the banks of river Ganga have been replicated. The riverfront has been recreated by filling up water on both sides of the long aisle leading to the idol. Height of the moorti: 6 ft Timings: Open 24 hours Number of visitors: Approx 45,000 per day
Shreyas Talpade: I miss the visarjan processions where we used to dance and even play the banjo. Ganpati is probably my best friend. I fight with Him too. It’s been a fantastic journey till here and he has given me more than what I deserve.