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𝘎𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘩 𝘝𝘪𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘫𝘢𝘯 2026: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘩
(𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝙶𝚘𝚘𝚍, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚊𝚍, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚄𝚐𝚕𝚢)

On Friday evening, I walked down to Chowpatty Beach. It was low tide, an environmental bottleneck that forced several of the larger, majestic Ganesha idols to stay ashore. They sat stranded on the sand, waiting for the tide to rise and finally welcome them into the sea.

Compelled by the sight, I decided to visit the beach again on Saturday morning. What I witnessed left me with deeply mixed feelings.

On one hand, there was a sense of profound admiration. You couldn't help but respect those who had stayed by the waves through the night, alongside the security and police forces who endured the unappreciative task of keeping surging crowds in check. As morning dawned, devotional chants still rang loud. I watched idols being carried into the water and carefully transferred onto barges, destined for deeper waters where they could be immersed with dignity.

Yet, the morning after reveals a heartbreaking reality: abandoned idols bobbing carelessly in the water, shattered fragments left on the shore, and mounds of garbage and litter discarded without a second thought. This scene is entirely familiar to us; it is an annual occurrence. And yet, nothing seems to change. It leaves me with heavy questions that demand answers: Why do the pandal volunteers - so active during the festival - not take part in the morning-after beach clean-ups? How can the very same idols that were worshipped with unrelenting faith for ten days be left on the beaches, abandoned, disrespected, and uncared for the moment the ritual ends?

Perhaps the true test of our devotion isn't how grandly we welcome the deity, but how responsibly we bid Him farewell. Until we bridge the gap between our ritualistic faith and our civic duty, the tide will continue to wash back a painful truth: that our devotion dissolves the moment the music stops. If we can find the divinity in a clay idol for ten days, surely we can find the grace to protect the earth He leaves behind.

@googlepixel @googleindia #teampixel #teampixelindia #mymumbai #mumbai #visitmumbai

[Ganpati, visarjan,Chowpatty, Mumbai] taken in Girgaon Chowpatty by @sharondivan

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15 days ago

ɢᴀɴᴘᴀᴛɪ ᴠɪꜱᴀʀᴊᴀɴ 2026
𝙵𝚊𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚃𝚒𝚍𝚎

The salty air of Girgaon Chowpatty carried a mix of sounds - police whistles, cars honking, voices over loudspeakers trying to keep people and cars in check, dhol beats, and emotional chants of 'Pudhchya varshi lavkar ya'. It was the final day of Ganpati visarjan, and the beach was a moving blanket of humanity, a sight made even more pronounced by the low tide. Mumbai turned up in what can only be called a sea of devotion to bid Ganesh farewell.

And, just like every year, the size of the Ganpati does not matter; what matters is the shraddha or faith with which you bid him farewell. And if there is one thing the people of Bombay share, it is an undeniable, collective devotion.

And as I took one last look at the crowded shore, I saw some big Ganpatis dot the skyline as they wait till later in the night for the ocean to rise and welcome them.

Until next year, farewell 🙏🏼

@googlepixel @googleindia #teampixel #teampixelindia #mymumbai #mumbai #visitmumbai

[Ganpati, visarjan, 2026, Chowpatty, Mumbai, Ganesh] by @sharondivan

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16 days ago

BOMBAY AT DAWN: ᴡᴀᴋɪɴɢ ᴜᴘ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴛʜᴇ ᴄɪᴛʏ

Bombay has a way of catching you completely off guard. It is a city of sharp, beautiful contradictions - and it is precisely this chaotic charm that forces travellers to fall in love, remember it forever, and carry a piece of Bombay back home with them. When my friend from Australia visited my city, I didn't want to show her a sanitized, postcard version of this place. I wanted her to experience all the raw, unfiltered facets that make Bombay unequivocally BOMBAY. I wanted to expose her to the crazy and the beautiful, the humbling and the gritty, the unyielding friendliness, and the relentless, electric hustle. Bombay doesn't hide its different sides; it wears them all at once. I wanted to share the city in its entirety: the hustle and the calm, the scruffy and the stunning, the loud and the absolute serene.

The last few years I spent diving deep into the streets I grew up in, photographing, exploring, and reclaiming my home, completely prepared me for this moment. Armed with those rediscovered memories, we set out to catch the city waking up, weaving through a single, seamless morning trail that captured the exact, breathing moment Bombay transitions from darkness to dawn.

Experiencing the city I now call home through my Australian friend's fresh eyes made me realize something beautiful. I wasn't just showing her a route; I was watching Bombay cast its unapologetic, irresistible spell all over again - a spell that effortlessly took hold over her as a tourist, and over me as a local. In the end, the city has a way of casting a spell on all who wish to see and experience it in all its glory. Every single time.

Where did we go? Read about it in the comment section

[Mumbai, dadar flower market, sassoon dock, Kamla Nehru park, csmt mumbai at dawn, city, citylife]

@googlepixel @googleindia #teampixel #teampixelindia #mymumbai #mumbai #visitmumbai taken in Mumbai - मुंबई by @sharondivan

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a month ago

𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱

There is a quiet magic in doing something one stroke at a time, especially when the four walls of a room feel like your entire world. This canvas became my quiet retreat each day - a pocket of time where I could step away from the demands of the day and focus entirely on creating something, one brushstroke at a time.

I took my time, rushing nothing, and by the time the last patch of blue and floral paint dried, the hours I spent cocooned felt productive rather than paused.

The timing of when I finished it seemed serendipitous - Janmashtami, the day the world celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna. As I handed it over to my friend, at whose behest I had painted it, it felt like the close of a chapter that started with a simple request and ended with a perfect memory.

[Krishna, painting, acrylic, art, mumbai] by @sharondivan

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a month ago

Fɾσɱ FOMO ƚσ Fαƚҽ

This post is not about my photography, as I don’t think any photograph could ever fully encapsulate the experience in its totality. Instead, it is about the experience itself—and how destiny, the universe, or fate somehow conspires in your favor to ensure your presence and your witness.

The four-day Mumbai Light Festival at the historic Afghan Church had already begun, and as usual, I was late to the party. But by day three, friends, friends of friends, and eventually the algorithm began to relentlessly bombard my feed with glimpses of what looked like an absolutely mesmerizing, ethereal spectacle. The backdrop of the Afghan Church made it even more poignant; it was a sanctuary I had yearned to visit ever since its restoration, but somehow, the essential priorities of life had taken center stage.

Naturally, a heavy dose of FOMO crept in. I immediately logged on to register for the final day—knowing it was a total shot in the dark, but driven by a sudden urge to try. Predictably, it was sold out.

Then, out of the blue, a friend messaged me: "I have two spare tickets for the final show. Would you like them?" In the span of a breathless heartbeat, I said yes.

Reflecting on the pure thoughtfulness of a friend who knew exactly how much I would cherish this, and who singled me out for first dibs, I can only look back and believe that I was truly destined to be there.

Ultimately, this experience taught me a simple truth: what is meant for you will always find its way home—sometimes arriving on the wings of a coincidence, and other times through the quiet, beautiful grace of a friend who knows your heart.

@floatingcanvasco @mumbailightfestival @afghanchurchcolaba @googleindia @googlepixel #teampixel #teampixelindia taken in Afghan Church Colaba Official Church of St. John the Evangelist by @sharondivan

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a month ago

Dadar’s Flower Rush

It’s been a while since I last stepped into the chaos of the Dadar flower market, and time has introduced a new rhythm. The biggest change comes early: pavement vendors now have permission to sell only until 7am (they start as early as 4am). With well trained ears, the vendors hear the police sirens gently prompting a practiced, quiet evacuation. Within minutes, the bustling pavements clear, falling silent, empty, and suddenly bereft of colour.

Yet, under the bridge, you’ll find that the true soul of the market remains stubbornly untouched. Thankfully, some things never change. The sensory overload is as potent as ever - the rich sweetness of marigolds and mogra, the brilliant explosions of pinks and yellows, and the beautiful mayhem. Hand carts still jostle for space and the familiar "Side! Side!" chant forces you to find a safe spot to let the cart pass. In brief lulls between the chaos, you catch a glimpse of the market's quieter human side. Vendors take momentary breaks to sip cutting chai, gossip, or sit glued to their phone screens. But these are momentary scenes. Within minutes, the tea glasses are set down, the phones vanish into pockets, and everyone is right back to the loud, familiar business of haggling and selling.

The sirens may force the street to yield to the routine of the legal day, but long after the pavements are swept clean, the scent of crushed petals clings heavily to the asphalt - a stubborn reminder that Bombay's vibrant heart refuses to be entirely tamed.

[Dadar flower market, mumbai, dadar, flowers, city markets, Mumbai diaries, mymumbai]

#dadarflowermarket #mymumbai #mumbaidiaries #visitmumbai

@googlepixel @googleindia @googlephotos @googleindia #teampixel teampixelindia taken in Dadar Flower Market by @sharondivan

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a month ago

A Day at the Museum
Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum

I finally made it inside. For the longest time, the was one of those places on my 'I really need to go there' list - but life kept getting in the way and I just kept putting it off. As it turns out, all it took was a little bit of serendipity. I actually headed out that day to catch an exhibition happening on the museum grounds. To get to it, I had to walk right through the main museum doors and instead of rushing past, I stopped, took a breath, and just walked around to look at the architecture.

Honestly, I barely looked at the artifacts on display (might need to go back for a visit) 'coz. my eyes immediately went upward, completely captivated by the building itself.

The 19th-century Victorian architecture is absolutely breathtaking, and what struck me the most was just how beautifully preserved everything is. The space feels incredibly airy and serene, wrapped in soft pastel mint greens and blues, with intricate gold-gilded accents tracing every archway and ceiling pattern. Grand, Corinthian-style pillars with stunning gold capitals tower over the room, supporting a soaring decorated ceiling that just makes you want to stand still and stare. Standing in the center of the grand hall, flanked by rows of dark wood glass showcases and historic marble busts, felt like stepping directly into an older, slower era of Bombay.

I am so glad I paused to soak it all in. Sometimes the best museum visits are the ones where the building itself is the masterpiece.

@bdlmuseum

(Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai. Architecture, Museum, history) taken in Dr Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum by @sharondivan

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4 months ago

Exploring the Other Half: A Walk Through My Bawa Heritage

Growing up as a "half-and-half" - half Hindu, half Parsi - I’ve spent my life navigating the hyphen between two worlds. But because I was never formally initiated into the faith, there’s a part of my heritage that has always remained behind closed doors.

I visited the F.D. Alpaiwalla Museum in Kharegat Colony, a quiet sanctuary dedicated to preserving the Parsi spirit. The museum is a fascinating effort by the community to open their doors and share their story with the world. It’s packed with a mix of original finds from a bygone era and detailed replicas that bring the history to life.

Identity isn't always about the rituals you perform; sometimes, it’s about the history you choose to reclaim.

#ParsiHeritage #AlpaiwallaMuseum #MumbaiHistory #Zoroastrianism #ParsiCulture taken in FD Alpaiwalla Museum by @sharondivan

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5 months ago

Sometimes the shadow tells a more interesting story than the light.

(Shadow photos, black and white, b&w, mumbai, mumbai streets, shadow play, photography)

@googlepixel @googleindia #teampixel #teampixelindia taken in Horniman Circle Garden by @sharondivan

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7 months ago

Please, Take a Seat

There was a buzz about an exhibition at the House of Mahendra Doshi @mahendra_doshi _est_1974 in Wadala for a while. And it was all about 'chairs' through the ages, styles and history.

As you enter the warehouse, it feels like stepping into a conversation with time. It’s a rare chance to see how our style has shifted over the years through a single, functional object. Put together by @theworkshoparchitects, @vivekgandhiphotography, @chikid317, and @anandgandhi08, the space is a reminder that we often overlook the very things that support us.

In a world that feels increasingly temporary, these pieces represent a rare kind of permanence. They’ve been 'redesigned for survival,' transitioning from historical relics into collectibles that feel completely relevant for a modern home.

It got me thinking - a chair is a lot like a person - it’s shaped by its era, it carries the weight of its history, and sometimes, it needs a bit of restoration to find its place in the future - totally my mindspace at the moment.

The exhibition - A History of India through Chairs - is an incredibly pensive, romantic walkthrough. If you’re looking for a piece of history to settle into, or just want to see how design has held us up through the ages, don’t miss this (It’s open until March 8).

#AHistoryOfIndiaThroughChairs #MahendraDoshi #AntiqueRestoration

[History of India through chairs, Chairs, restoration, furniture restored, Mahendra Doshi, exhibition, wadala]

@googleindia @googlepixel #teampixel #teampixelindia by @sharondivan

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7 months ago

Ramadan 2026: Kebabs and Chaos

There is an electric, almost frantic pulse that defines Mohammad Ali Road as the sun begins to dip. It’s a sensory battlefield where people, animals, and weaving two-wheelers all jostle for the same inch of road in a dance only Bombay understands. You see the urgency in every direction: hands gripping warm parcels of food, dodging the swarm to get home in time for iftar, while others are already squeezed onto benches with fruits laid out before them, ready to break their fast the second the call to prayer cuts through the air.

It is unapologetically chaotic, noisy, and thick with charcoal smoke, with the heavy, spiced flavors of seekh and boti wafting through the humid heat. Even with the relentless roar of the crowd and the constant movement, there is an unmistakable rhythm to it all - a raw, living tradition that happens in this corner of the city during this time of year.

#Ramadan2026 #MumbaiRamadan #BombayStreetFood

[Mohammad Ali Road, Ramadan 2026, Iftar, Ramadan Kareem, Mumbai, Ramadan, Bombay Street Food, Kebabs, Google Pixel]

@googleindia @googlepixel #teampixel #teampixelindia taken in Mohammad Ali Road by @sharondivan

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7 months ago

HOLI OF THE KOLIS

LONG BEFORE THE BRITISH OR PORTUGUESE ARRIVED IN BOMBAY, THERE WAS THE HOLI OF THE KOLIS. ⚓️🏮

There’s a rhythm to Worli Koliwada that feels like a heartbeat, especially during Kombad Holi.

I spent time witnessing a tradition that predates the arrival of the British and the Portuguese - a celebration held by the Koli community for generations. They call it 'Kombad' (Rooster) Holi because, after a full night of revelry, it’s the rooster’s crow that finally signals the end of the party. 🐓

At the center of it all is the Shinga tree, beautifully decorated and standing tall as a witness to history. It’s a true community effort - a cluster of homes comes together to get their own tree, lovingly decorating it with fresh flowers, intricate rangoli, and a playful crowning of balloons and crisp packets at the very top. What struck me most was the unity; despite many Kolis following different faiths today, everyone returns to their roots for these 7 days. It’s a beautiful, rowdy, and sacred blend of dance, drinks, and ancient reverence.

I did not stay for the burning of the Shinga tree nor the revelry as that would have gone on late into the night.

But I am grateful for the opportunity to observe, partake, and be part of witnessing customs from a world that refuses to be forgotten.

#WorliKoliwada #KombadHoli #MumbaiTraditions #KoliCulture #IncredibleIndia LivingHeritage

[Worli Koliwada, Kombad Holi, Mumbai Traditions, Koli Culture, Living History, Mumbai Diaries, Shinga, Holi] taken in Worli Koliwada by @sharondivan

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7 months ago