Processions carrying idols of Lord Ganesh for immersion began winding their way towards rivers and lakes across Maharashtra Sunday morning, marking the culmination of the 11-day festival.
Processions carrying idols of Lord Ganesh for immersion began winding their way towards rivers and lakes across Maharashtra Sunday morning, marking the culmination of the 11-day festival.
In big cities like Pune and Mumbai, processions carrying huge idols of the elephant-headed God on decorated trucks, accompanied by thousands of devotees and troupes of drummers, are expected to continue well past midnight.
While public Ganesh mandals prefer to take the idols for immersion to sea shores or rivers, families which install smaller idols are increasingly conducting 'viasarjan' at homes in buckets of water.
With a view to avoid pollution of natural water bodies, many civic bodies have also set up artificial ponds for immersion.
In Mumbai, the famous Lalbaughcha Raja Ganpati, which attracts lakhs of devotees during the festival, was among the early starters for immersion at the sea shore in Dadar.
1. Devotees bid goodbye to Lord Ganesha
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The festival, which began on Ganesh Chaturthi on September 13, concludes Sunday on 'Anant Chaturdashi'. (Photo: DNA Photo/ Pics by Hemant Padalkar and Aadesh Chaudhary)
2. Ganpati Visarjan 2018
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Public celebration of Ganesh festival dates back over a century, when it was first encouraged by Bal Gangadhar Tilak in order to promote nationalist sentiment during the colonial rule. (Pics by Hemant Padalkar and Aadesh Chaudhary)
3. Ganpati Bappa Morya!
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In Mumbai, prime locations for immersion are Girgaum Chowpatty (beach), Juhu, Powai lake and Dadar Chowpatty. (Pics by Hemant Padalkar and Aadesh Chaudhary)
4. Lord Ganesha!
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In Pune, the top five Ganesh mandals set out for immersion in the morning. (Pics by DNA/ Hemant Padalkar and Aadesh Chaudhary)
5. Anant Chaturdashi 2018
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In Nashik city of North Maharashtra, Ganesh mandals decided not to use hi-tech sound amplifying systems and 'gulal' powder (which is sprinkled during the procession) during the immersion. (Pics by DNA/ Hemant Padalkar and Aadesh Chaudhary)
6. Anant Chaturdashi 2018
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The immersion procession of over 50 Ganesh mandals began in the morning from Wakadi Barav locality in Nashik. It will culminate on the bank of the river Godavari. (Photo: DNA Photo/Salman Ansari)
7. Ganesh festival concludes
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This year, the Ganesh festival also became a public outreach opportunity for politicians, who are eyeing blessings of both Lord Ganesha and his devotees ahead of an election year. (Pics by DNA/ Hemant Padalkar and Aadesh Chaudhary)
