On Sunday, thousands of devotees in Mumbai bid an emotional farewell to Lord Ganesha as they immersed over 10,000 idols across the city. The 10-day Ganesh festival, which started on Saturday, saw families and public mandals installing idols at homes and community pandals.
Idol Immersion Begins with Enthusiasm
The idols, taken out for immersion after one and a half days, came from households. Devotees enthusiastically chanted “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya,” urging the beloved deity to return the following year as they carried their idols to beaches and artificial ponds for immersion.
BMC’s Preparations for Smooth Immersion
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) made extensive arrangements to ensure a smooth and safe immersion process. Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani confirmed that traffic diversions, mobile toilets, floodlights, bodyguards, and prayer mandaps had been set up to accommodate the large crowds.
Police and Civic Support
Over 12,000 personnel were deployed, including traffic police and lifeguards, to assist with the immersion. The BMC established 71 control rooms and pressed 48 motorboats into service at various beaches to ensure safety. A total of 204 artificial ponds were also available for idol immersions across the city.
Safety and Cleanliness Measures
To promote environmental consciousness, the BMC arranged for the collection of ‘nirmalya,’ the offerings brought with the idols. The civic body is committed to providing a seamless and incident-free experience for all devotees participating in the festival.
