Lal Baug Walk: Ganpati Special

Lalbaug isn’t just a neighbourhood rather it’s the soul of what was once called Girangaon, the ‘village of mills’. A place where threads of cotton, courage, and community wove together the early story of Mumbai.

Once the beating heart of the city’s textile empire, Lalbaug rose on the strength of migrant workers who built more than just fabric. Its narrow lanes still echo with traces of forgotten revolutions, shared kitchens, and chawl courtyards that raised generations.

Between the looming high-rises, a resilient patch of farmland continues to grow seasonal vegetables while a Shwetambar Jain Derasar and a Sufi dargah stand quietly side by side.

And then, there’s the spice. Lalbaug’s bustling spice market is where migration meets memory. The air is rich with the scent of black pepper once traded like gold, cinnamon once sold through stories, and jeera, turmeric, and fennel that continue to anchor kitchens to their roots. In these lanes, you don’t just smell history but you taste it.

Walk with us through Lalbaug, not to find what was lost, but to feel what still lingers. The spirit. The struggle. The soul of a neighbourhood that refuses to forget itself.

 

What to Expect? 

• Listen to stories of migration and mills.
• Explore Lal Baug beyond Lal Baug Cha Raja.
• Discover one of Mumbai’s last surviving urban farms nestled between towers.

 

Date: 17th August, 2025

Day: Sunday 

Meeting Point:  Hotel Kshirsagar

Time: 4:00 pm

Physical Activity: Moderate

Notes: Comfortable shoes are a must