Ladu Samrat's Round-the-Clock Ganpati Sweet Rush

1:05 AM ETDeveloping

World Desk

In Short: As the Ganpati festival approaches, Ladu Samrat prepares to meet the demands of Mumbai's sweet-toothed crowds.

Ladu Samrat, a beloved sweet shop in Lalbaug, Mumbai, is gearing up for the annual Ganpati festival. The shop, which began as Maharashtra Ladu Samrat in 1967, has expanded over the years to offer a wide range of sweets and snacks. According to reports, the shop expects to sell over 10,000 kg of modaks, including 4,000 kg of mawa modak and 3,500 kg of motichoor laddu, alongside a near-equal volume of snacks, based on sales trends from previous years.

Inside the shop, Siddhant Rakshe, wearing a T-shirt printed with Ganesha’s face and the line “No Roses, Only Hibiscus,” is manning the cash counter. This nod to Bappa’s (Ganesh) favoured flower reflects the shop’s deep connection to the festival. The factory in Chinchpokli, where the machines haven’t stopped since Thursday, is now dedicated to producing only sweets, with modaks leading the charge. The preparations reflect the shop’s commitment to meeting the demands of Mumbai’s sweet-toothed crowds.

To meet the increased demand, the shop’s current owner, Kamlakar Rakshe, restarted the business in 1992, spreading it across 180 sq ft. In two years, sales of motichoor ladu (sold at Rs 600/kg) have gone up eightfold, indicating the growing popularity of the shop’s products. The factory’s round-the-clock operation and the expansion of product offerings demonstrate the shop’s dedication to serving the community during the festival.

By the time the 10-day festival wraps with visarjan on September 24, Ladu Samrat expects to have sold a significant volume of sweets and snacks. The shop’s legacy and commitment to the community are evident in its preparations and the variety of products offered. As the festival approaches, Ladu Samrat stands ready to meet the demands of Mumbai’s sweet-toothed crowds.

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Located almost where vehicles are stopped and pedestrian movement begins for the famed Lalbaugcha Raja, with Ganesh Galli’s Mumbai Cha Raja right behind it, Ladu Samrat sees the neighbourhood transform during Ganpati.
Ladu Samrat began as Maharashtra Ladu Samrat in 1967, when Maruti Rakshe opened a 150-sq-ft shop in Veer Mahal selling a handful of items, including kadak boondi ladu, poha chivda, Mahalaxmi chivda, batata vada and kothimbir vadi.
Like his father, he too started with the same handful of items and expanded over the years, adding besan ladu, boondi ladu, barfi, pede, a variety of chivda, bhakarwadi and more.
To make ends meet, his son Kamlakar Rakshe took on multiple jobs, including working in a laundry and driving a taxi, before restarting his father’s business in 1992 — now named Mumbai Ladu Samrat, spread across 180 sq ft.

Sources

The Indian Expresslink