Ganeshotsav 2026 saw 6,436 idol immersions across Mumbai by 9 pm on Sunday, September 20, the seventh day of the festival, according to the civic immersion report issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The process was completed peacefully, with no untoward incident reported by officials.
The report recorded 6,127 household Ganesh idol immersions and 99 sarvajanik, or public, idol immersions by the evening. The BMC’s report also included Gauri idol immersions in the overall figure, although the source report contains differing figures for that category. The total number of immersions reported by 9 pm was 6,436.
Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav immersion calendar extends across several days, depending on local and family traditions. Idols are immersed on the one-and-a-half-day, third, fifth, sixth and seventh days of the festival, as well as on Anant Chaturdashi, the concluding day. Ganeshotsav began on September 14 and is scheduled to conclude on September 25.
The largest concentration of immersions is expected on Anant Chaturdashi, when public Ganesh mandals traditionally conduct processions through the city before taking the idols to designated immersion points. The BMC has arranged facilities at immersion sites across Mumbai, including artificial ponds, while also making provisions to manage devotees’ movement and the conduct of the ceremonies.
The civic administration’s arrangements include facilities and operational support at major immersion locations. These include observation towers, rafts, nirmalya collection bins for floral offerings, steel plates along immersion routes, lighting and drinking water facilities. The BMC has also directed officials to maintain the equipment and infrastructure required at the sites during the festival period.
Ashwini Bhide reviewed preparations at Swarajyabhoomi Chowpatty in Girgaon and Dadar earlier in the festival, according to an official statement cited in the report. During the inspection, officials were directed to prioritise devotees’ safety, civic facilities and environmental protection. They were also asked to provide an adequate number of rafts according to crowd levels and requirements at each immersion site.
The arrangements are significant because Mumbai’s immersion operations involve simultaneous movement of household devotees, community groups and large public mandals across designated locations. The BMC’s facilities are intended to support the process through the remaining festival days, culminating in the final round of immersions on Anant Chaturdashi on September 25.
