Mumbai, Sep 14 (PTI) Chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ echoed through the streets of Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra, including Pune, on Monday as Ganesh idols of all sizes made their way to homes and decorated neighbourhood pandals, setting the stage for a grand 11-day festival.
From the bustling, narrow alleys of Lalbaug in central Mumbai to elaborate neighbourhood pandals ( temporary, decorated stages) adorned with breathtaking artwork, the annual homecoming of the beloved deity transforms the city, binding it together in faith and celebration.
The festivities will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi (September 25), when the cherished idols are carried in grand processions to water bodies for their final ritual immersions.
While major mandals had already brought in their large idols over the past few weeks, smaller groups and households spent Sunday night escorting theirs home with devotional chants, street music, and ‘gulal’.
The official celebrations began with ‘Pran Pratishtha’ ceremonies, as families and neighbourhood groups performed elaborate pujas, aartis, and the rhythmic chanting of mantras.
In key hubs of Lalbaug, Parel, Girgaon, Andheri, Chembur, and Fort in Mumbai, entire neighbourhoods have been bathed in colourful light displays. Bustling markets of Dadar, Crawford Market, and Lohar Chawl saw an outpouring of eager shoppers gathering last-minute festival essentials — from traditional ‘makhar’ decorations and fresh garlands to festive sweets and ceremonial items.
Lalbaug remains the heart of the festival, drawing huge crowds to iconic pandals like Lalbaugcha Raja, Chinchpokli, Ganesh Gully, and Tejukaya.
In Matunga, the GSB Seva Mandal has once again adorned its idol with exquisite gold ornaments — securing a multi-crore insurance policy to safeguard its lavish offerings — while drawing long queues for its meticulous daily rituals.
Other favourites include the Tilak Nagar-based Sahyadri Mandal, Fort Vibhag Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in south Mumbai, Andheri-based Azad Nagar Sarvajanik Utsav Samitee, and the Khetwadi Ganpati mandals in Girgaon.
Mumbai has already witnessed three idol collapse incidents in Bhuleshwar, Kurla, and Malad over the last few days. While no injuries were reported in the accidents in Kurla or Malad, where a 17-foot idol toppled on Kachpada Road on Sunday when a crane lost its balance, the Bhuleshwar incident tragically claimed two lives.
Meanwhile, more than 16,800 police personnel, including senior officers and quick response units, have been deployed across the city to ensure safe and peaceful celebrations.
Special arrangements have also been planned for idol immersion days, with additional security personnel being assigned to manage crowds and traffic. The police have urged citizens to exercise restraint at crowded places and cooperate with security personnel on duty.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urged people to opt for traditional Ganeshotsav celebrations with minimum pollution amidst calls for restrictions on high-decibel sound systems during the festival.
Fadnavis welcomed Lord Ganesha at his official residence ‘Varsha’ in south Mumbai and offered prayers for the state’s farmers and appealed to citizens to minimise pollution during the festivities.
“May the vignaharta (the Lord who removes obstacles) bring happiness. Our country, state, people and farmers get peace and prosperity. I urge people to keep pollution at minimum and celebrate the festival traditionally,” he told reporters.
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena president Raj Thackeray also welcomed a Ganesha idol at his Shivtirth residence in Dadar.
In the western Maharashtra city of Pune, where legendary freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak transformed Ganesh Chaturthi into a large-scale public festival (Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav) in 1893, devotees welcomed their beloved elephant-headed deity into homes, housing societies and pandals.
The ‘pran pratishtha’ ceremonies of Pune’s five Manache Ganpatis, namely Kasba Ganpati, Tambdi Jogeshwari Ganpati, Guruji Talim, Tulshibaug Ganpati and Kesari Wada Ganpati, were performed amid crowds chanting ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya’.
The chants reverberated through the streets of Maharashtra’s second biggest city since morning as beautifully decorated idols made their way to their temporary abodes, accompanied by the rhythmic beats of dhol-tasha and traditional musical instruments.
At the Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati temple, a flower-decked chariot carried the idol to the mandap, which this year has been inspired by the famous Prem Mandir in Vrindavan.
At the Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, the ‘pran pratishtha’ was performed by renowned classical flautist Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia, while Swami Govind Dev Giriji Maharaj, general secretary of Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust, performed the aarti.
Punit Balan, trustee of Shrimant Bhausaheb Rangari Ganpati Mandal, said the decoration this year has been themed on ‘Shree Ganesh Swarnadham’, depicting the divine abode of Lord Ganesha.
The mandal has carried the spirit of Ganeshotsav beyond Maharashtra, he said, adding three idols of Manache Ganapati to were sent last week Kashmir.
At Kesari Wada, trustee Rohit Tilak said the Ganpati idol was welcomed using traditional musical instruments.
At Guruji Talim Mandal, the celebrations have added significance as the mandal is marking its 140th year. The mandal has created a replica of the Jagannath Puri temple as part of its festival decoration.
At Kasba Ganpati Mandal, the first revered Ganpati, the pran pratishta was performed amid a traditional atmosphere. PTI KK PR SPK ARU BNM RSY
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