Mumbai: As the Ganpati festival reaches its final stages, the city witnessed a significant number of idol immersions on the sixth day of visarjan. The celebrations, which began early Thursday morning, continued late into the night, with devotees participating in processions and chanting “Bappa Morya.”
According to data from the municipal authorities, by 6 am on Friday, a total of 48,044 Ganpati idols had been immersed. This figure includes 535 sarvajanik (community) Ganpatis, 41,154 Gharguti (home) idols, and 6,355 Lordess Gauri idols. The visarjan rituals also saw a noteworthy rise in eco-friendly practices aimed at reducing environmental impact. This year, in a bid to promote sustainable celebrations, the municipal corporation has set up 189 artificial ponds across Mumbai to facilitate eco-friendly immersions. Of the 48,044 idols immersed on Thursday, 20,209 were placed in these artificial lakes. This includes 124 sarvajanik Ganpatis, 17,603 Gharguti idols, and 2,482 Lordess Gauri idols.
The remaining idols were immersed at natural water bodies such as seashores and lakes. The emphasis on eco-friendly visarjans is a growing trend, reflecting increased public awareness and government efforts to mitigate environmental damage. The installation of artificial ponds is part of a broader initiative to offer sustainable options for idol immersion. Notably, no untoward incidents were reported during the immersion process, according to civic officials. The trend towards eco-friendly practices is evident, with around 39.46% of Ganpati idols this year immersed in artificial ponds. This shift highlights the community’s commitment to preserving environmental integrity while celebrating the festival. As the Ganpati festival draws to a close, the city remains focused on ensuring safe and eco-conscious practices, underscoring a growing movement towards environmental responsibility in festive celebrations.
