Lalbaug’s Digambara Arts: Go-to Place for Gauri Puja Shopping This Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai

With the aagman of Lord Ganesh on Ganesh Chaturthi, some households also await the arrival of Goddess Gauri. And there’s so much to do! From the special bhog of 16 vegetables to setting up the murtis with sarees and jewellery, there’s a lot that needs to be done. And one major concern is getting the murtis right. So if you are looking for Gauri murtis, mukhaute, accessories and more, we have just the place for you. That too in the heart of Mumbai! Local Samosa visited Lalbaug’s Digambara Arts, a one-stop destination for all things you need for Gauri Pujan

Gauri Puja: History and Importance

Gauri Puja is a revered ritual celebrated during Ganesh Chaturthi, dedicated to Goddess Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva and the mother of Lord Ganesh. This ceremony is performed to seek her blessings for prosperity, health, and family well-being. It involves the worship of the Gauri idol with offerings of flowers, fruits, and sweets, alongside the recitation of hymns and prayers. The ritual is especially significant for married women who perform it for the well-being of their families. The Gauri Puja ritual underscores the importance of maternal blessings and marks a vital aspect of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities.

In some traditions, Gauri is believed to visit her brother Lord Ganesh, while others hold that Ganesh has two sisters, Jyestha Gauri and Kanishta Gauri, leading to the worship of two Gauri idols. In West Bengal, these sisters are identified as Goddess Saraswati and Goddess Lakshmi, daughters of Goddess Durga. In Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, Gauri is considered to be Goddess Parvati, Ganesh’s mother, and is celebrated with the Gauri Habba festival and the Swarna Gowri Vratha, a special fast is observed by women.

Digambara Arts: From Murtis to Jewellery

Digambara Arts sits in Putlabai Lalbaug Market’s Mirchi Gali where the famous Lalbaug Cha Raja Lord Ganesh arrives. And here’s where you can get everything you need to welcome Goddess Gauri home. They offer a variety of murtis made from POP, fibre and fabric. There are different types of murtis as well, a mix of standing and sitting Gauris you can buy via custom orders. You can get a metal stand that acts as a bottom with the torso and mukhauta separately. Or get a standing structured murti and the mukhauta depending on your preference. Most customers prefer buying POP murtis since it makes visarjan easier as they tend to melt.

Even the mukhautas, about 20 different ones, come in an array of styles and looks. They, too, are made of POP and fibre. Digambara Arts even has the special Amravati mukhaute that has a lens. These are especially sought after. Here, you can shop for the murtis of Gauri’s kids, a boy and a girl. There are Gauri’s feet sold separately in case you wish to go for the metal stand. The murtis range between 2 and 4 feet. You can get them customised as per your preference as well.

At Digambara Arts, you can get hair accessories like buns for Gauri along with every kind of jewellery imaginable. From Kolhapuri Saaj to Thushi and bangles to Nath, you can shop for it all. There’s more! Gauri murti comes with blouses that are pasted on the torso and hands. While it makes it easy to then simply drape the saree of your choice, if you want a variety, there’s something for you. This Lalbaug quintessential shop offers special blouses with adjustable knots at the back for Gauri that are super easy to wear. These are apt for 3 and 4 feet murtis.

The cost of a POP mukhaute ranges between Rs. 300 to Rs. 3,000. Fibre mukhaute will cost you anywhere from Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 3,500. Fibre full murtis start from Rs. 8,000 while torsos begin at Rs. 3,500. Torsos made of POP cost upwards of Rs. 800. 

Where: Digambara Arts, Shop no. 16, Putlabai Lalbaug Market, Mirchi Galli, Lalbaug Mumbai. Enter the lane right beside the Khamkar shops.