As the vibrant Ganpati festival comes to a close, Mumbai is witnessing grand visarjan processions across the city. The day began with visarjan puja and aartis, and by 3 PM, a total of 2,697 Ganpati idols had been immersed, marking an emotional farewell to Lord Ganesha. Devotees filled the air with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhya Varshi Lavkar Ya,” expressing their devotion and anticipation for next year’s celebrations.
Mumbai, known for its natural immersion spots like seashores and lakes, also provides artificial ponds to promote eco-friendly visarjans. Of the 2,697 idols immersed, 71 were from public (Sarvajanik) Ganpati mandals, 2,614 were household idols, and 12 were Gauri idols. Notably, 1,009 of these immersions took place in the artificial ponds set up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The city’s iconic Ganpati idol, Lalbaugcha Raja, departed its pandal in the afternoon after the final aarti. The grand procession, which drew a massive crowd of mandal workers and devotees, made its way through the areas of Lalbaug and Parel, following tradition. By evening, the procession was set to reach Girgaon Chowpatty, where the final visarjan would take place on Wednesday at 6 AM. Along the way, the yatra made a stop at Parel’s famous Shroff Chawl, where devotees showered the idol with flowers in a touching display of devotion.
In Mumbai, more than 24,000 police personnel were deployed to maintain order during the processions and ensure a smooth visarjan for all. Similar scenes of devotion and celebration were observed across Maharashtra. In Pune, the renowned Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati procession began in the morning, accompanied by traditional Lezim, Dhol Tasha, and other rituals. The five Manache Ganpati of Pune—Shri Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug, and Kesari Wada—led the way for the city’s immersions, following age-old traditions.
The spirit of Ganpati visarjan is not just a festival but a profound cultural event, uniting people in their shared devotion and joy.
