Keshavji Naik Chawl

Ganeshotsav is less a celebration and more a feeling that settles into every room at the 133-year-old Keshavji Naik Chawl on Khadilkar Road. When we drop by, the first person we meet is Dinesh Joshi, a chef at the Taj Group, who has lived here for 40 years. Residents make it a point to be at home during Ganeshotsav. “This festival is the heart of our chawl; we don’t move out of our pandal during these days,” he says.

The décor is simple, but the devotion is immersive. Children arrive with large plates of prasad, learn stotras and participate in storytelling, rangoli-making, vyayam (exercise) and other competitions. Residents of all ages also come together for their orchestra, guided by music professionals from within the chawl.