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Emotions ran high, colours flew in the air, and the drums beat endlessly as devotees came together at prominent immersion venues across Mumbai under the watchful eyes of the city police to bid goodbye to Lord Ganesha, as his annual Earthly sojourn concluded on Anant Chaturdashi (September 17).
Idol immersions continued in Mumbai on Wednesday, a day after the penultimate day of the Ganesha festival that began on September 7. As many as 37,208 Ganesh idols have been immersed since Tuesday, BMC data showed.
Among the areas thronged by thousands of devotees to take a last look of Ganesha idols as they made way for immersion spots was Parel. Large crowds chanted ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ and ‘Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Yaa’ as the music played while waiting for the revered Lalbaugcha Raja to start his journey towards Girgaon Chowpatty in south Mumbai.
But the procession that began Tuesday afternoon was thronged by lakhs of devotees along a path that began from Parel and snaked along a long route through south Mumbai, to eventually conclude around 10.30 am on Wednesday with the idol’s immersion in the Arabian Sea.
Among other Ganpati mandals that received immense crowds were the Kalachowkicha Ganpati, Ganesh Galli Mumbaicha Raja and Tejukaya Ganpati.
Nashik dhols, an indispensable part of Ganpati celebrations, were playing at pandals and along procession routes, adding to the festive air that enveloped the city.
Naresh Dahibhavkar, president of Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti (BSGSS), said, “Immersions usually continue till the next day of Anant Chaturdashi and this year too we are witnessing the same. Between 2020 and 2022, for three years, the number of sarvajanik samitis had reduced temporarily due to the Covid-induced pandemic. Thus, the number of public immersions that took place during that period was comparatively less.”
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had made elaborate arrangements for the immersion by deploying thousands of personnel, lifeguards and emergency services to ensure that the processions pass off smoothly and safely. It has also cautioned citizens about blue button jellyfish and stingrays while immersing idols in the sea.
More than 24,000 police personnel were deployed on Mumbai streets for security and crowd management. The State Reserve Police Force, Quick Response Teams, Riot Control Police, Home Guards and Maharashtra Security Force have also been roped in, officials said. To ensure the safety of women, officers in plain clothes and Nirbhaya squad were deployed.
“Ensuring the safety of women will be our top priority, which is why we have deployed officers in plain clothes and the Nirbhaya Squad. In addition to 20,000 police personnel, around 10,000 SRPF personnel and 2,500 traffic officers will be involved in the bandobast,” an officer stated.
Western Railway and Central Railway would be running special late night trains for the convenience of devotees returning home after processions.
Police are also using drones for surveillance at key immersion sites such as the beaches at Girgaon, Dadar, Bandra, Juhu Versova and Madh Island, and also at Powai lake. They were also monitoring the footage of 8,000 CCTV cameras.
More than 2,500 traffic police personnel ensured smooth movement of vehicles across the city. Some roads have been closed for traffic.
Immersion took place at artificial ponds as well as Dadar, Juhu, Marve and Aksa beaches, among other spots in the megapolis. The BMC provided 204 artificial ponds to prevent pollution of natural water bodies.
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