Ganesh festival takes off with huge fanfare in Mumbai

Soul-stirring chants rent the air as people sang bhajans and offered prayers amid bursting of crackers and beating of drums. Devotees feasted on favourite delicacies like ‘karanji’ and ‘modak’.

Among the various pandals across the city,‘Lalbaughcha Raja’ in Central Mumbai,with the 12-foot tall idol towering over the devotees,attracted huge fanfare.

The mandal which entered its 78th year is thronged by several prominent personalities from politicians to top bureaucrats to celebrities.

The other popular mandals in the city include ‘Ganesh Galli’,just a stone’s throw away from the Lalbaughcha Raja,Khetwadicha Raja in Grant Road,Chandanwadi ganesh mandal in Kalbadevi,GSB Seva in Matunga,Gaondevi Sarvajanik Ganesh mandal,in Girgaon,‘Tilak Nagar Ganesh mandal’ at Chembur and few others.

According to the local civic body,altogether 1,91,000 idols were installed across the city of which 10,350 are at Ganesh Mandals (associations) and 1,80,650 belong to local households.

The civic body has made arrangements like road diversions,watchtowers and sanitation in view of the festivities.

Railways is also running additional trains to ensure swift movement of devotees.

In wake of the July 13 blasts here,security has been beefed up in the city for safe festivities.