Mumbaikars bid farewell to Lord Ganesh

Devotees carry an idol of Hindu elephant god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, during a procession before immersing it in the waters of the Arabian Sea at Girgaum Chaupati on the last day of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai on Sunday. Photo: Shashi Ashiwal.

Amidst tight security, Mumbaikars on Sunday bid adieu to Lord Ganesh with great pomp, bringing the 11-day festivity to an end.

Before noon, the large Ganesh idols in south Mumbai, including the famous ‘Lalbaugcha Raja’ as well as those from Girgaum and Ganesh Galli areas began heading towards the Girgaum Chowpaty for the immersion.

The processions all over Mumbai began with devotees chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya’.

People, mainly youths, were seen dancing to the tune of traditional instruments of dhol-tasha. Sprinkling of vermilion added colour to the festive occasion.

Water fronts in Dadar, Shivaji Park, Juhu, Versova, Gorai also saw a huge turnout of people, who gathered to witness the immersion procession.

According to sources, 98 Ganesh idols of sarvajanik Ganesh mandals and 3,612 household idols were immersed by 3 pm, in the sea, ponds as well as in the make-shift tanks.

The city police have stepped up security and are on a high alert after last week’s Delhi blast. A tight vigil was maintained during the procession. Use of two-wheelers in crowded areas has been prohibited.

CCTV cameras also kept a hawk’s eye on the crowd during the immersion procession in different parts of the city.