Saints and ghosts pepper the landscape this Ganeshotsav

The final days of Ganeshotsav are seeing long lines of visitors at decorative mandaps. A 38 ft Saibaba Ganpati in Malad embodies Hindu-Muslim unity while a horror theme mandap in Bhayander elicits frightened screams that dissolve into laughter.Mhadacha Raja, MalwaniThis 38 ft tall Saibaba swaroop Ganpati in the heart of Muslim-dominated Malwani, Malad, shows how the mandal is keeping its head while all about are losing theirs. A touching example of communal harmony, Mhadacha Raja was founded by Mustaqim Sayyed and Ankush Bhatkar in 2007. "Yahaan par hamein Ram-Rahim kaha jaata hai," says Mustaqim. Moortikar Viful Jadhav had initially carved the backdrop with a composite Om, holy cross and moon and star to denote religious unity.

But local saffron units objected and hauled them to the police station where officers advised them to change the image, which they did. The inclusive celebration soldiers on, offering Salaami at the local temple and mosque, and free food (bhandara) for all.

Bappa Barfani, Kamathipura 8th LaneThe spectacular 30 ft Neelkanth avatar Ganesh carved by Lalabhai Bhaliya and Sahil Kalyani is drawing admiration on social media.

The name of this Bappa derives from the famous shrine of Baba Barfani (ice shivling) in Amarnath. Mandal president Ganesh Hiramani says, "In 2017, a devotee expressed a wish before our members to undertake the Amarnath Yatra. However, due to bad weather conditions there, all plans were cancelled.

The devotee then made a vow to Baba Barfani, seeking the safety of all Amarnath pilgrims, which was fulfilled. Since our members are devotees of Mahadev too, one suggested renaming our idol as Bappa Barfani, which was unanimously accepted.

Every year, our idol is shaped like Lord Shiva. We offer peda as prasad."Group Sixty, BhayanderLittle children erupt in screams of fear when they walk a few steps inside the dark cavernous mandap, and are accosted by prowling corpses, skeletons, ghosts and ghouls. It is only when their parents and older siblings laugh out loud that they realise it is all a joke. Sai Ganesh Mitra Mandal (Group Sixty) near 60 Ft Road, Bhayander, has devised this horror theme.

Its spokesman says, "Lord Ganesh subdued demonic vices like ignorance and greed.

In fact the mooshak which once carried negative energy blossomed into a gentle, intelligent being. This teaches us that once we subdue our negativity we can harness our thoughts and deeds into positive energy." The 21 ft Ganesh carved by Dinesh Pandit rides a fierce mooshak.Ganesh Mandircha Raja, VikhroliThe elephant god seated upon a pachyderm drew delighted crowds to Tagore Nagar 1, Vikhroli East, till its immersion on Tuesday evening.

"Our mandal started in 2014 and this is our 12th year. Our idol is based on Lord Indra whose mount is the elephant Airavat. Our mandap decoration is dedicated to Mahadevi/ Madhuri, the temple elephant from Kolhapur who was displaced to Gujarat," says mandal head Sanket Kate. Co organiser Raj Nikam informs that they organise annual blood donation camps.

Pravin Walunj says they decorate the pandal with their own hands.Maladcha RajaThe 34 year old Maladcha Raja of Goraswadi has installed a 26 ft idol featuring a unique Simha Ganpati and Navdurga in the backdrop. Moortikar Siddhesh Dighole is receiving accolades for this idol. An organiser says they have devised a 'chalchitra' or live show based on Mata Vaishnodevi. Other cultural highlights include an aarti thali competition, donation drives and a grand community feast or Maha Bhandara.