The auspicious festival of Ganeshotsav is concluding today across the country, including Maharashtra, on the occasion of Anant Chaturdashi. The festival, which began on Ganesh Chaturthi, is culminating with the immersion of Ganesh idols as thousands of devotees turn out to bid farewell to their beloved deity. Immersion processions of prominent and prestigious public Ganeshotsav mandals have commenced in several major cities across the state. Civic authorities and police have made extensive arrangements to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the processions.
In Mumbai, grand Ganesh immersion processions have begun, with the city resonating with dhol-tasha beats and chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.” Large crowds have gathered across the city to accompany the idols to immersion sites. Processions of iconic idols, including Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbaicha Raja at Ganesh Galli, Tejukaya, Chinchpokli’s Chintamani and Borivali’s Upnagracha Raja, have commenced amid music and large gatherings of devotees.
The Maharashtra Tourism Department has set up a special viewing pavilion at Girgaon Chowpatty, where foreign tourists can witness the grand immersion ceremony and experience Mumbai’s vibrant cultural traditions.
This year, arrangements have been made at 67 natural immersion sites, including Girgaon Chowpatty, Dadar and Juhu, along with more than 383 artificial ponds. Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde has appealed to citizens to opt for artificial ponds wherever possible to help protect the environment. Lifeguards and more than 24,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city. Drones are being used for surveillance at key locations, while noise levels are also being monitored to control noise pollution during the processions.
In Pune, immersion processions for the city’s five Manache Ganpati, or most revered Ganesha idols, have begun. The first revered idol, Kasba Ganpati, set out for immersion at around 10 am. Traffic diversions have been introduced in central areas to facilitate the processions, while heavy police security has been deployed.
In Nagpur, citizens have responded positively to the Municipal Corporation’s initiative to reduce pollution in rivers and lakes by opting to immerse idols in artificial ponds established across the city.
In Nashik, the Ganesh immersion procession began in the presence of Guardian Minister Girish Mahajan. A total of 25 Ganesh mandals are participating in the procession. The Nashik Municipal Corporation has designated 77 official immersion sites and made special arrangements for collecting household Ganesh idols under its ‘Idol Donation’ initiative.
In Khamgaon in Buldhana district, the immersion procession began at 9 am with the Maha-Aarti of the revered Wooden Ganpati, or Manacha Ganpati. Arrangements for Ganesh immersion have been made at several locations in Dhule, including the Panjara River. In Nandurbar, devotees are eagerly awaiting the traditional Harihar Bhet, or meeting of the deities, between the ‘Dada’ and ‘Baba’ Ganpati idols, scheduled to take place at midnight.
Ganesh immersion festivities are also underway across Jalna district. The Municipal Corporation has arranged for immersion at the kund at Motitalav. The main immersion procession featuring the revered Manacha Ganpati is scheduled to pass through the city in the evening.
In Nanded, Ganesh immersion is taking place to the accompaniment of traditional instruments, without DJs. The city’s idol collection centres are also receiving a good response. The Municipal Corporation has established 17 idol collection centres and 10 artificial immersion tanks at various locations.
In Latur, the lack of rainfall this year has resulted in rivers, streams and other natural water sources drying up. With water unavailable for immersion, the eco-friendly Ganesh idol collection centres established by the Latur Municipal Corporation are receiving an enthusiastic response from devotees.
