Rani Mukerji, Madhur Bhandarkar and Makarand Deshpande at the Times Utsav Moorti Sanman contest

GSB Seva Mandal, King’s Circle Theme: Lasting for five days and one of the most visited Ganpatis in the city, the main attraction here is the eco-friendly idol made out of clay. Bedecked with 72 kilos of gold and 475 kilos of silver, this year, the idol also adorns ‘Vyjayanthimala’, a beautiful, long necklace made using three kilos of gold. The traditional pujas being an important aspect for this mandal, close to 75,000 pujas were performed by devotees this year.Height of the moorti: 15 ft Number of visitors: Approx three to four lakhs per day.

National Kala Krida Mandal, Naigaon, Dadar Theme: In a simple lit-up pandal sits the trimurti in the form of Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh, with Vishnu at the centre taking the form of Ganesha. Devotees from as far as Pune and Nashik come to specially see the moorti, that took five months to be created and is made up of eco-friendly shadu clay, usually found in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. Height of the moorti: 5.5 ft Timings: Open 24 hours Number of visitors: Approx 7,000 per day. Madhur Bhandarkar: Ganpati has been a part of our home since the last 40-45 years. When I was a kid, my cousins and friends would come over and we would indulge in modaks. I miss that today. I am a firm believer of Siddhivinayak temple. I have been walking from Khar to Siddhivinayak every Tuesday morning for almost 17 years now. I believe I am a Ganpati-blessed child.

Shivaba Mitra Mandal, Chikuwadi, Borivali (West) Theme: A 31-feet tall palace has been designed using eco-friendly materials including paper garlands that adorn the ceilings, decorative fibre tassles and cotton pillars. Seated in the palace is Titwala Baithak Ganpati, wherein both the feet of the idol are visible, based on the famous Ganpati temple in the town of Titwala. Height of the moorti: 8.45 ft Timings: Open 24 hours Number of visitors: Approx 10,000 per day. Makarand Deshpande: As kids, my brother and I would make decorations for the Ganpati pandal at home. I remember I could never cut the thermocol pillars correctly, and would take help from my brother. I would also hate going for the visarjan knowing that Ganpati was going away. I would be upset for the entire last day.