Punjab Newsline | Mumbai
Ganesh idol immersion processions began across Mumbai on Friday morning as devotees gathered in large numbers to bid an emotional farewell to Lord Ganesha on the final day of the Ganesh festival. The city resonated with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya,” accompanied by the beats of traditional Dhol-tasha bands as thousands joined the celebrations.
Following customary prayers and aartis at public Ganesh pandals, several prominent mandals took out grand immersion processions. The streets were filled with devotional chants, traditional music, and showers of flower petals and gulal, creating a vibrant festive atmosphere. Several other processions were scheduled to commence later in the day.
On the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi, authorities have made extensive security arrangements to ensure the smooth and peaceful conduct of the immersion ceremonies. According to police, more than 24,000 personnel have been deployed across Mumbai for crowd management and security duties.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has also stationed over 25,000 officers and staff members to facilitate safe and efficient immersion operations.
The 12-day Ganesh festival concludes on Anant Chaturdashi, when devotees immerse idols of Lord Ganesha in natural water bodies or artificial ponds, symbolizing the deity’s return after the annual visit. Colorful and energetic processions are being held across Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, with celebrations expected to continue late into the night and into the early hours of Saturday.
In Mumbai’s Lalbaug area, large crowds, including women and children, lined the streets to witness the grand processions and the traditional pushpavrishti (showering of flower petals) on the idols. Lalbaug remains one of the most visited locations during Ganeshotsav, attracting devotees from across Maharashtra and other parts of the country, particularly to seek blessings at the famous Lalbaugcha Raja and other prominent pandals.
Many processions featured traditional dhol-tasha troupes, with devotees dancing and chanting devotional slogans as they made their way towards Girgaon Chowpatty, one of Mumbai’s most significant immersion sites. Processions were also heading towards several other designated immersion points across the city.
