Mumbai’s Mumbaicha Raja idol features a finger-heart-like mudra

Unveiled on September 13, Mumbaicha Raja stands on one leg above a large pink flower at Ganesh Galli this year. A blue hand emerges from beneath the flower as part of the installation.

The 2026 idol has also drawn attention for a hand gesture resembling the thumb-and-index-finger Korean finger heart, popular in K-pop culture. The Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, marking its 99th year, has described the gesture as Saranghae, a Korean expression associated with “I love you”. It has also pointed to the similar-looking Katakamukha Mudra of Bharatanatyam.

Katakamukha is a single-hand gesture used in classical Indian dance. Its meaning changes with context and can denote plucking flowers, holding a pearl or garland, drawing a bow, offering betel leaves, preparing fragrant substances, speaking or gazing.

The idol is dressed in a traditional dhoti, jewellery and an ornate mukut. The mandal’s description links the hand gesture to both Saranghae and Katakamukha Mudra.