Women’s Groups Deliver Modaks to Doorsteps for Ganeshotsav 2025

As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has unveiled an initiative called ‘Modak Mahotsav 2025’ in collaboration with self-help groups that it has financially supported. This initiative allows citizens to pre-order traditional sweets known as modaks from August 21 to August 25, with delivery scheduled for August 27, the first day of the Ganesh festival.

The modaks, which will be available in both steamed (ukadiche) and fried varieties, cater to the festive demand while simultaneously enhancing the livelihoods of women from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. This initiative follows the success of a similar event, the Puranpoli Mahotsav, organized during Gudi Padwa earlier this year.

BMC Commissioner and Administrator Bhushan Gagrani has emphasized the importance of promoting such business-oriented activities to ensure the sustainability of self-help groups. “Through this festival, devotees will receive fresh modaks at home while women’s collectives gain economic strength,” said Dr Prachi Jambhekar, Director of Planning at BMC. This dual focus on community celebration and economic empowerment marks a significant step in supporting local artisans and businesses during the festive season.

Special Train Services for Ganesh Chaturthi

In a related development, the Central Railway has announced special train services to facilitate travel during the Ganesh festival. From August 22 to August 31, trains will operate between Mumbai’s Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) and destinations in the Konkan region, specifically Sawantwadi and Madgaon.

Two daily services will run from LTT to Sawantwadi, with Train No 01167 departing at 21:00 and arriving at Sawantwadi at 09:20 the following day. Another service, Train No 01171, will leave LTT at 08:20 and reach Sawantwadi at 21:00. Both trains will consist of six general coaches to accommodate the increased passenger demand.

Additionally, on August 25, Train No 01003 will depart LTT at 08:30 for Madgaon, while Train No 01129 will leave at 08:45 on August 26 for Sawantwadi, also featuring six general coaches. The Central Railway will also provide overnight services: Train No 01165, a fully air-conditioned service, will leave LTT at 00:45 on August 26, and Train No 01185, equipped with four general coaches, will depart at the same time on August 27.

These special trains will stop at several key locations, including Thane, Panvel, Pen, Roha, Chiplun, Ratnagiri, Kankavli, and Kudal. This expanded connectivity aims to facilitate travel for devotees heading to celebrate the Ganesh festival in the picturesque Konkan belt.

The combination of culinary and travel initiatives reflects a broader effort to enhance the festive experience for devotees while simultaneously supporting local economies and communities.