The Maharashtra government has declared September 29 as a holiday in observance of Eid-e-Milad. This year in a unique coincidence Anant Chaturdashi, marking the final day of the Ganesh festival, falls today, coinciding with the celebration of Eid-e-Milad, which commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.

In a unique initiative for peace and brotherhood, the Muslim community in Maharashtra has postponed Eid-e-Milad procession by a day to ensure arrangements for the Ganesh Visarjan processions scheduled for today on Anant Chaturdashi- the last day of Hindu Ganeshotsav. Due to this, Eid will be celebrated in Maharashtra tomorrow on Friday 29th September.

Meanwhile, all the district and city administrations in the state have made elaborate arrangements for the immersion processions of Lord Ganesha and to effectively manage the security situation. Many municipal bodies have called upon public Ganeshotsav Mandals to end the immersion procession by 12 midnight. Also, the mandals have been asked to use only traditional instruments during the procession. Keeping in mind the environmental balance, a ban has been imposed at many places on immersing idols in river water. In Mumbai, Police forces have been deployed in large numbers at 73 major immersion sites and key locations. To control the huge crowd at major beaches, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has requested Mumbaikars to opt for eco-friendly immersion at their homes or at artificial lakes in their localities.