Mumbai recorded 25,231 Ganesh idol immersions by 9 pm on Tuesday during the first major immersion period of the 12-day Ganeshotsav, according to figures shared by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). Civic officials said no untoward incident had been reported during the immersions recorded during the day.
The total included 24,521 household Ganesh idols, 110 idols from public Ganesh mandals and 600 Hartalika idols. The immersions took place at designated locations across the city as devotees carried idols in processions marking the conclusion of celebrations lasting one and a half days.
The BMC has arranged immersion facilities at artificial ponds as well as major natural immersion locations across Mumbai. The arrangements are intended to facilitate devotees and manage crowds during the festival, which is being observed in homes and public mandals across the city.
Mumbai Police and civic personnel have been deployed at immersion points and along procession routes to regulate crowds, traffic and the movement of devotees. The authorities’ arrangements cover locations where devotees bring idols for immersion as well as routes used by processions.
Immersion dates vary according to household and community traditions. While some devotees immerse idols after one and a half days, others follow five-day, seven-day or longer schedules. As a result, the first immersion day represents only an early phase of the city’s overall immersion activity, with further immersions expected in the coming days.
The festival will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 25 this year. Large numbers of devotees are expected to participate in processions on the final immersion day before the idols are immersed in water bodies and designated civic facilities.
The BMC and Mumbai Police are continuing to manage operations at immersion sites and on procession routes. Civic authorities said the number of immersions is expected to rise as devotees observing different festival durations complete their celebrations.
