Full Breakdown
Mumbai’s Grand Ganesh Visarjan: Iconic Idols, Massive Crowds, and Citywide Logistics
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Grand Immersion of Iconic Ganesh Idols
On September 26, massive crowds gathered at Girgaon Chowpatty as the famed Lalbaugcha Raja and the Chinchpokhlicha Chintamani were immersed in the Arabian Sea. The immersion followed traditional puja and aarti, after the idols were transferred onto a barge and escorted by local fishermen. The Ballaleshwar idol of the Bal Ganesh Mandal from Lalbaug entered the water around 11 a.m., completing a marathon procession that lasted more than 21 hours. Civic officials reported that while most processions had concluded, a few large idols remained awaiting immersion at other city beaches later that afternoon.
Scale of Security and Municipal Support
To ensure safe immersions across 67 natural sites and 383 artificial ponds, the Mumbai Police deployed over 24,000 personnel. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) posted 25,000 staffers, supplemented by lifeguards, medical teams, and heavy-crane operators. These forces managed crowd control, traffic, and emergency response throughout the city’s extensive procession routes.
Celebrity Involvement in the Processions
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, joined the Lalbaugcha Raja barge during the September 26 immersion after visiting the pandal multiple times during the festival. Earlier, on September 25, actor Jackie Shroff participated in the procession near Girgaon Chowpatty.
Route and Timing of the Final Day
The Lalbaugcha Raja procession began at Lalbaug Market, traversing the mandal’s main entrance, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Bharatmata Cinema, and the Lalbaug Police Chowky before returning to the main entrance. From there it proceeded to the Mumbai Municipal Corporation reception desk at Chowpatty and finally to the immersion raft. The immersion was scheduled for the morning of September 26, with devotees continuing the procession until the ceremony.
Post-Immersion Cleanup Efforts
Following the 12-day festival, sanitation workers commenced cleanup operations at immersion points and along major procession routes. The coordinated effort aimed to remove debris, restore beach conditions, and ensure public health safety after the large-scale gatherings.