Ganesh Chaturthi wrapped up on September 17 with the ritual immersion of Lord Ganesha’s idols, bringing to a close 10 days of worship and festivities. This final ceremony, known as Visarjan or Anant Chaturdashi, signifies the end of the celebration. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated on a grand scale in Mumbai, with the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal hosting the renowned Ganesh idol, making it a major focal point of the festival. PTI shared a video on their X (formerly Twitter) account showing devotees chanting 'Morya Re' as the Lalbaugcha Raja idol is carried for visarjan. In the video, people can be seen showering marigold flowers from their balconies as the Ganesh idol passes by during the procession. Watch the video VIDEO | Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai's most famous Ganesh idol, being taken for 'visarjan'. The 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival, which began on September 7, is concluding with 'Anant Chaturdashi' today.#GaneshFestival2024 #AnantChaturdasi (Full video available on PTI Videos -… pic.twitter.com/0VeJUWnXMx — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 17, 2024 What is Anant Chaturdashi? Anant Chaturdashi is a Hindu festival celebrated on the fourteenth day of the bright half of the Hindu month of Bhadrapad. It is also known as Ashtami or Amrit Siddhi. On this day, devotees worship Lord Vishnu and his consort, Goddess Lakshmi. The festival is marked by the tying of an eternal knot (anant) made of silk or cotton thread around the wrists of married women. This knot symbolises eternal love, prosperity, and good fortune. It is believed that by tying this knot, women can ensure the well-being of their husbands and families. Lalbaugcha Raja controversy A viral video from Mumbai’s famous Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh Chaturthi pandal has sparked controversy, highlighting the stark difference in treatment between VIPs and regular devotees. The video, which circulated widely on social media platform X (previously Twitter), shows VIPs receiving special privileges, such as easy access to the deity and the freedom to take selfies, while ordinary worshippers endure rough handling and long waits in crowded lines. The footage has ignited outrage online, with many expressing their anger over the clear inequality between VIPs and the general public.
