Heavy rain disrupted Ganeshotsav preparations across Mumbai and Navi Mumbai on the eve of the festival, with mandals reporting waterlogging, leaks, damaged paintwork and difficulties securing electrical systems before devotees begin arriving in large numbers.
At Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani, finishing work and queue-management arrangements slowed as organisers took additional precautions. Deven Jadhav of the mandal said the team was closing the remaining work but had to proceed cautiously because of the rain.
Navi Mumbaicha Raja also reported disruptions after heavy showers continued through Sunday. Ankush Vaiti, president of the mandal, said water had entered parts of the pandal, the area outside had become waterlogged and some paintwork was being damaged. Electrical work had also become more difficult, he said.
The mandal was reinforcing its pandal and queue arrangements to keep the darshan area safe and accessible during heavy rain. Vaiti said the organisers were working to remain on schedule, while expressing concern that continued rain during Ganeshotsav could discourage devotees from travelling and affect attendance.
At Mumbadevi Cha Ganraj mandal, preparations continued despite rain that had persisted since Saturday night. Secretary Deepak Pawar said volunteers had added tarpaulin and plastic sheets, secured the idol and prepared a canopy for the waiting area. Electrical wires had been insulated and covered, he said.
The mandal is located in the Bhuleshwar market area near Charni Road station, where it receives large numbers of passers-by and visitors. Organisers were also preparing to bring in a smaller festival idol made from shadu mati, or clay, and planned to cover it during transport because of the rain.
Rain-related access problems have also affected the temporary infrastructure used to manage devotees. Wooden platforms are routinely installed at some locations to help visitors avoid walking through wet maidans and narrow alleys. Lal Maidan Ganeshotsav in Parel constructs such a platform each year.
The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti issued a safety advisory to mandals on Sunday afternoon. It asked organisers to check the strength and security of mandaps, tarpaulins, tin sheds, roofs, iron structures, electrical connections and generator back-up systems.
The Samiti specifically advised mandals to ensure that electrical connections and loose wires were not located near areas where water accumulates. The warning places electrical safety and temporary public infrastructure at the centre of preparations as organisers work to keep festival sites operational during the downpour.
Volunteers at Khetwadicha Raja and other nearby mandals reportedly stayed awake through the night as rain continued and preparation deadlines approached. The organisers’ immediate task remained securing structures, protecting idols and completing arrangements for devotees before the festival begins.
