Complete coverage: Devotees bid tearful adieu to Ganpati

Hyderabad: Thousands of devotees hit the roads in this southern city as the annual Ganesha procession began amid unprecedented security. Over 30,000 policemen and personnel from the central paramilitary forces have been deployed to maintain law and order. Courtesy: IANS

Mumbai Traffic Police marks roads leading up to the seafront

In view of the Ganpati immersion, many a road, some of them arterial ones, have been marked either 'no entry' or 'one-way'. Avoid them as only vehicles carrying Ganpati idols for immersion are being allowed on them.

Also, the parking of vehicles has been prohibited on several roads since 11am today. The parking ban will continue till 6am on Sunday.

Traffic diversions in Mumbai due to Ganesh Visarjan.

Effective: From Saturday 12pm till Sunday 6am

a) Adi Shankaracharya Marg is closed for vehicular traffic from its junciton with Jal Vayu Vihar Road to its junction with the Arcade Avenue Marg (Pawarwadi)

b) Bhattipada Marg is closed for all traffic from Jangal Mangal Road junction to LBS Marg junction.

c) Jangal Mangal Marg closed for all kinds of traffic from Laxmi hotel to Sarvoday Nagar Society

Courtesy: Agencies

Lalbaugcha Raja sets off for final journey

On the last day of the 10-day Ganeshotsav, around 90,000 small and big Ganesh idols are expected to be immersed at 84 spots in Mumbai on Saturday.

While Mumbaikars are all eager to see off their favourite elephant-headed diety, the procession of the most popular Ganesha idol —Lalbaugcha Raja—began at 12pm.

However, owing to the hordes of devotees, the Raja is moving slowly and is taking a U-turn from Bharat Mata cinema and will reach Lalbaug Chowk near Shroff building in 10-15 minutes.

Lalbaugcha Raja will negotiate the traditional route to head for the Chinchpokli flyover which will take it further on its immersion journey.

Report: Hemant Padalkar

Blast shadow on Pune immersion routes

In the wake of serial blasts on the Jungli Maharaj Road on August 1, the Pune police have deployed a thick layer of security on the routes to be taken for Ganesh immersions on Saturday.

9,500: Total number of police personnel on the field

4,000: Total number of additional security staff, including State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), Home Guards, college students, cadets of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), members of Shantata Committee, sports organisations and Ganesh mandals

12 platoons: State Reserve Police Force, one team of Rapid Action Force, four teams of Quick Response Team are helping the city police with the immersion duties

366 homeguards, 200 retired police officers and 5,000 college students trained by the city police also participating

4 teams of Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) have been deployed at crucial points across the city

15 deputy commissioners of police, 42 assistant commissioners of police, 125 police inspectors, and 462 police sub-inspectors will be on the road

10 immersion ghats will be covered by CCTVs. These cameras will also be installed at several locations in the city and immersion routes

Courtesy: Agencies

Juhu warms up to immersion

Till around 2 pm, around nine Ganeshas from sarvajanik mandals and 142 from Mumbai households were immersed at the Juhu Chowpatty, officials of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said on Saturday.

At 11.30am, when the devotees began streaming in, the crowds were thin. But in the past one hour, Juhu beach is seeing an increased number of devotees landing with their idols.

Report: Vishwas Waghmode

With 3 events in a row, Hyderabad cops on the edge

Wishing that the Ganesha processions get over before Saturday midnight, the Hyderabad police want to ensure that immersions do not cross ways with the proposed 'Telangana March' scheduled on September 30 Sunday.

Traditionally, a huge idol installed at Balapur in southern Hyderabad heads the centralised procession which will culminate near the Hussain Sagar lake. It is estimated that over 12,000 idols will end up being immersed in Hussain Sagar and other lakes around the city, Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said.

With three major events, including the march and biodiversity meet, being lined up one after the other, the police are experiencing an escalated anxiety levels. Over 15,000 cops are manning Hyderabad roads even as a strict watch on troublemakers is being kept through a number of CCTV cameras, all for sake of a peaceful day of immersions.

Courtesy: Agencies

Girgaum (Mumbai): Clean-up marshals deployed; low tide throws back nirmalay

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has deployed 200 clean-up marshals at Girgaum Chowpatty, which is being thronged by devotees of all ages, strata. Also, some foreign faces could be seen.

The low tide, which began at 11am and will end around 5:50pm resulted in the sea water throwing back some idols as well as nirmalay back onto the beach.

Meanwhile, Khetwadicha Raja, 10th Lane, has made it to Girgaum Chowpatty, while preparations are on for the final aarti, to be followed by the immersion.

Report: Eknath Makne

Lalbaugcha Raja's final journey
By Shraddha Bhargava

Juhu (Mumbai): Excitement on rise

The immersion processions at Juhu are proceeding peacefully, with the excitement in devotees increasing.

Report: Vishwas Waghmode

For Powai citizens, artificial lakes prove as good as real

For residents with environment-friendly views, artificial lakes are top priority for Ganesha immersions.

On a day when the city traffic police is bogged down by visarjan processsions jamming various roads, the eco-friendly families living in and around Powai are quietly performing visarjan with equal joy at the six artificial lakes at Nana-Nani park.

Amita Kare (24) said, "There is no rush. Ganapati visarjan is done peacefully. We enjoy the same way as we used to earlier."
 
Until 5pm, the six lakes witnessed nearly 80 immersions.

Report: Somita Pal

Eye in the sky: Unmanned aerial vehicle to Mumbai cops' aid

Netra, the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is hovering over Girgaum Chowpatty to keep watch on potential troublemakers among the Ganesha devotees on behalf of the city police. This is the first time that an immersion is being monitored with the such a device. Netra can surveil an area of two kilometres for 30 minutes in a single charge.

Report: Eknath Makne

Devotees chant as Lalbaugcha Raja's begins its final journey at Lalbaug.

Photographer: Hemant Padalkar

'Chennai celebrates like a community, Mumbai does it like a family'

Immersion processions are reaching the Girgaum chowpatty one after the other, with devotees shouting slogans like "Ganpati bappa morya, pudhchya varshi lavkar ya", urging the god to return sooner next year.

Even as Mumbaikars throng for immersions to Girgaum, foreigners say they find the participants part of a big family. "It's been a great experience to witness such a huge gathering. We have a similar festival where a large number of people come together to celebrate," said Philip, a Belgian national who works for a company in Chennai. Philip is in Mumbai along with his wife especially to witness the visarjans.

Distinguishing between Ganpati celebrations in Mumbai and Chennai, Philip said, "In Chennai, people celebrate like a community, while in Mumbai people do it like a family."

Meanwhile, opposition leader in the Maharashtra legislative council Vinod Tawde, opposition leader in BMC Dnyanraj Nikam showered flowers on debvotees. Tawde has been joined by senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiyya.

Report: Eknath Makne at Girgaum Chowpatty

The 'biggest' Ganesha idol of all is in

Touted as the largest, Chandan Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal's idol reaches Girgaum Chowpatty. The 24-foot-tall idol depicts Lord Ganesha flying on the back of Hanuman to slay evil forces of nature.

Report: Eknath Makne

Manohar Joshi, Vivek Oberoi make an appearance

Former Lok Sabha Speaker Manohar Joshi and minicipal chief Sitaram Kunte arrive at Girgaum Chowpatty to bid adieu to Lord Ganesh. Film star Vivek Oberoi also reaches Girgaum Chowpatty.

Report: Eknath Makne

King Circle cha Raja reaches Lalbaug

Photographer: Hemant Padalkar

Green is in: Chembur takes to Pestom Sagar lake for visarjan

Started by Pestom Sagar Citizen's Forum (PCF) five years ago, the idea of artificial lakes has taken the fancy of households in and around the Chembur area. Ganesha idols are being all immersed in the six artificial lakes created at the Pestom Sagar lake.

Thanking the PCF for organising the visarjan so well, residents like Prakash Barishikar, a PCF member living in Chembur for the past 42 years said, said, "We started in a society with one lake. Soon, residents demanded more and we volunteered to organise the entire event. We started with 100 and now over 800 household Ganapati idols are immersed here."

Report: Somita Pal

This is the spirit of Mumbai: Vivek Oberoi at Girgaum

Actor Vivek Oberoi, who participated in Ganpati immersions at Girgaum by showering flowers on the idols as well as the devotees, was elated. "This (procession) is fantastic. This is where you get to see the actual spirit of Mumbai. It's a great feeliing," said the actor.

Report: Eknath Makne

Residents Amita Kare and Sumit Upadhyay take their respective idols for visarjan at the artificial lake in Nana-Nani Park in Chembur.

Photographer: Rajendra Gawankar.DNA

Devotion, but not at cost of environment

The Nana-Nani Park which is now adopted by a citizen group kept resonating with chants. In a span of half an hour, the six artificial lakes inside the park sees at least four idol immersions. While children are busy bursting crackers, the women are busy preparing for the final farewell to the beloved God. Aartis are performed and children and elders from the family together bid farewell to Ganesha, requesting him to come soon.

The visarjan site at Nana-Nani Park sees no less enthusiasm compared to Girgaum Chowpatty or Juhu beach. The only difference here is, this visarjan will not harm the environment, according to the residents.

'So far 100 Ganesh idols' were immersed today. We expecting more, ' said Prakash Parshekar, a member of the Pestom Sagar Citizen Forum, which manages the park and the artificial lakes. The artificial lakes are later used for guppy fish farming.

Report: Somita Pal

Slew of Rajas descend on Girgaum

Raja Khetwadicha (Khambata Lane) of Khetwadi, Chira Bajaracha Maharaja of Chira Bazaar pass through a swelling sea of humanity at Girgaum Chowpatty, even as the air rings with 'Ganpati bappa morya'.

Meanwhile, the Lalbaugcha Raja's immersion procession has reached near Byculla station.

Report: Eknath Makne

Devotion on sea sands

A Ganesh devotee living in Indira Nagar at Santa Cruz (W), Laxmi Gaud has created an image of Lord Ganesha using sand at the Juhu Chowpatty, which has attracted many a devotee.

"I have been making the sand Ganpati for all eleven days of the festival out of my faith and trust for the vakratunda," Gaud told DNA.

"My father, who did exactly this until his dying day, has been my inspiration," said Laxmi, adding that, "I perform a puja daily and my sand Ganpati gets immersed in the sea during high tide."

Report & Photograph: Vishwas Waghmode

Smooth visarjan, but must tackle the noise: says BMC chief Kunte

Mumbai municipal chief Sitaram Kunte expresses satisfaction over smooth immersion processions until now.

"We could see people installing clay idols in big numbers this year. Also, more people are taking to immersing idols in artificial ponds, said Kunte.

While expressing concern over the rise in noise levels during the immersion celebrations, Kunte said, "This is something we would like to take up with the police next time round."

Report: Eknath Makne

Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi recalls Girgaum visarjans of his time

While suggesting the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) avoid involving itself in limiting the height of Ganesh idols, senior Shiv Sena leader Manohar Joshi said, "The visarjans here (at Girgaum) have become more popular than at the time when I was the mayor."

Meanwhile, the huge idol of Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal, from Lalbaug, has reached Girgaum Chowpatty.

Report: Eknath Makne

A Ganpati procession at Lalbaug.

Photograph: Hemant Padalakar. DNA

Traffic warning for Opera House

The Mumbai Traffic police have requested motorists to avoid the Opera House area, as the heavy rush of devotees in the area has led to traffic stalling near-complete.

Report: DNA

Sea of humanity throngs Juhu Chowpatty

The entire stretch of Juhu beach is crowded with excited Ganesh devotees participating in pujas, aartis, and ranting the air with slogans telling the elephant-god, representing bountiful, to arrive sooner next year.

In all, 15 lifeguards have been deployed at Juhu beach for the immersion routine, apart from the flood and rescue units of the Mumbai Fire Brigade, said a senior life guard posted at the beach, adding that the processions have been smooth so far.
"We are expecting more crowd after 9pm as the big Ganesh mandals will start coming in only then," added the lifeguard.

Politicos grace celebrations at Girgaum

Union minister for state Milind Deora and state finance minister Jayant Patil have reached Girgaum Chowpatty for the procession and visarjan ceremon.

Other politicians attending the festivities are Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan, Maharashtra Home Minister RR Patil and PWD minister Chhaggan Bhujbal.

Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray walks in along with mother Rashmi. Governor KR Sankaranarayanan too arrives along with wife Radha.

Report: Eknath Makne

Ganesh Gallicha Raja arrives

Ganesh Gallicha Raja of Lalbaug makes an entry at Girgaum Chowpatty for the last leg of its journey.

Report: Eknath Makne

A devotee is smeared with gulal during a Ganesh procession in Jammu earlier on Thursday.

Photograph: Mukesh Gupta/Reuters

Large turn-out at Powai lake surprises one and all

The Powai Mohalla Committe, the police, and the civic body's disaster management cell had a tough time controlling the large turnout of devotees descending on the Powai lake to bid farewell to Ganesha.

As bigger Ganesh mandals from Powai, Ghatkopar areas made their way to the lake in trucks, it has become a perfect picnic spot here. Children accompanying their families are not only participating in the visarjan, but also enjoying the balloon, bhel and toys being sold by vendors nearby.

For a smoother visarjan procedure, the civic body has organised a crane to lift taller idols into the Powai lake, while clean-up marshal teams are ensuring that nirmalay (garlands etc.) is collected in a kalash so that lake area remains clean.

Aussie Samuel Braganza, who is in Mumbai for some official work, is one of the few foreigners who came to Powai lake at 6pm and kept clicking photos of the idols being taken for immersion. "It is magnificient. I hope to capture the moods of this festive time and take it back home," Braganza added.

Report: Somita Pal

Visakhapatnam: Traditional dances mark immersions

Huge colourful processions, signing of bhajans and traditional dances were the main attractions of the Ganesh immersions in Visakhapatnam. 

A large number of Ganesh idols of different sizes were taken for immersion in the Bay of Bengal at Ramakrishna, Rushikonda, Gangavaram, Yerada and Jodugullapalem beaches.

The Visakhapatnam police have made elaborate arrangements and imposed traffic restrictions in the city in view of the immersion.

Courtesy: Agencies

Immersion status at Juhu Chowpatty: 2,491 idols till 8pm

A total of  2,491 (2326 household and 165 sarvajanik) Ganesha idols had been immersed in the Arabean Sea off Juhu Chowpatty till 8pm.

Police said, no untoward incident had been reported until then.

Report: Vishwas Waghmode

I seek blessings from Lord Ganesha for the state's betterment: Maha CM at visarjan

"This is the only event where people gather in such large numbers. Everything has gone well so far. The Ajit Pawar chapter is over. I seek blessings from Lord Ganesha for the betterment of the state," says Maharashtra Chief Minister Prthviraj Chavan at the immersion ceremony at Girgaum Chowpatty.

Report: Eknath Makne

Devotees say goodbye to their Lord at sea off Dadar Chowpatty.

Photograph: Prakash Parsekar

Pune celebrations delayed

Ganesh immersions in Pune were hit by unimaginary delay after a large number of dhol-tasha troupes were stalled mid-way in their journey to see off the Ganesha at the ghats on the banks on river Mutha.

Just five Ganesh idols could be immersed in the nine hours from 10.30am to 8pm. Mayor Vaishali Bankar flagged off the immersion procession at the historic Tilak statue in the Mandai area at 10.30am on Saturday.

The five most revered mandals took nearly nine hours to cover distance of 2.5 kilometres, from Tilak statue to Khanduji Baba Chowk at Deccan Gymkhana.

The procession began with all the traditional features of rangavali, tableaus and display board with social messages. An increasing number of girls were seen playing dhols, apart from students from north-eastern states, foreign countries. Special children of Kamayani school accompanied the dhol-tasha squad of the visually-impaired students—two main attractions this year.

Report: Shailendra Paranjpe

All ministers will work together: Bhujbal

At the Girgaum Chowpatty to attend the immersion celebrations, State PWD Minister Chhagan Bhujbal said, "Whatever problems cropped up in the state recently, let them all be solved. All ministers will work together. I seek blessings from God to eliminate the calamity of drought in state in time to come."

Report: Eknath Makne

A family bids adieu to Ganesha at the Powai lake

Photograph: Rajendra Gawankar

Andhra Pradesh: 40 fall sick after consuming 'prasad'

As many as 40 people from Cherla Boothkur village in Karimnagar district took ill owing to suspected food poisoning after they consumed stale prasad on the concluding day of Ganesh festival, police said.

The affected villagers were admitted to district hospital after they complained of vomiting and dizziness after eating pulihora (tamarind rice) prepared on Friday for the immersion procession of Ganesh idol, they said. Sources said, many villagers ate the undistributed rice on Satuday morning. All those admitted are safe, a health official said.

12 hurt as Ganesh procession turns violent in Gujarat

At least 12 people were injured in stone-pelting even as the angry mob damaged vehicles and shops at Dahemi village near Anand after a Ganesh immersion rally turned violent, police said. Two shops, a Maruti van, a Piaggio car, four motorcycles and two cycles were torched in the flare-up, according to a police officer.

The processionists were sprinkling plastic bags filled with gulal (colour). However, when the Ganesh idol immersion procession reached a place of worship some of the gulal fell on its wall angering members of a community. A verbal duel ensued between members of the two communities, which soon erupted into stone-pelting at each other, leaving 12 injured.

The situation was brought under control after the local police called in additional back-up from Borsad town police and Anand to quell the clash.

A Ganesha idol is lowered into the Powai lake for immersion by a crane installed at the site.

Photograph: Rajendra Gawankar

Immersion passes off peacefully in Nagpur

The 10-day-long festivity came to an end with immersion of Ganesh idols across Nagpur in a peaceful manner on Saturday. More than 1,000 public organisations (mandals) that had installed Ganesh idols immersed them as per the alloted timing.

Elaborate arrangements had been made in Futala lake, where huge fibre glass water tanks were kept for the immersion, to prevent pollution of lake waters.

Courtesy: Agencies

3 drown during immersion in Yamuna canal

Three youths are feared to have drowned in the Yamuna canal during idol immersion in Basai Mohammadpur area of the district.

The three youth, all residents of Ramnagar locality, had gone along with others to immerse a Ganesha idol in the canal, said Vipin Kumar Mishra, Additional Superintendent of Police, adding, "After immersion, the trio entered the canal to take bath during which they drowned."

Courtesy: Agencies

Cops struggle with swelling crowds at Juhu Chowpatty, 9 hurt

Since the past one hour, the police at Juhu Chowpatty are facing a tough time trying to control the swelling mob. The unseen increase in the numbers thronging the beach for immersion took place after the bigger Ganpati mandals began streaming in even before the smaller ones had began leaving the venue.

So far, a total of 3,270 Ganesh idols (2,946 household and 324 sarvajanik) were immersed till 9 pm at Juhu Chowpatty.

Around 9 persons who received minor injuries were treated at the venue. "Only one person was sent to Cooper Hospital for treatment and was discharged immediately after," said a civic official.

Report: Vishwas Waghmode

Devotees perform an aarti before they say goodbye to Lord Ganesha.

Photograph: Swapnil Sakhare

Over 25,000 idols immersed in Mumbai

Till 9pm, a total of 25,025 Ganesha idols (23,178 household, 1,748 sarvajanik, 99 gauri) had been immersed at the various immersion points set up across Mumbai and suburbs.

Further, according to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, there was no untoward incident reported till 10.50pm, with all the immersion processions going normally.
 

Report: Vishwas Waghmode

The bigger Ganeshas arrive at Girgaum Chowpatty later in the immersion day.

Photographer: Swapnil Sakhare