MUMBAI: Devotion and decorations are on display as the Ganesh festival begins

Idols of various shapes and sizes have been installed in many homes and in pandals against the backdrop of elaborate decorations based on innumerable themes ranging from the launch of Chandrayaan-3 to the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya.

Families, including children and elderly people, came out of their homes early in the morning to bring their beloved Baba home amidst chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Maurya’ and beating of drums.

Many people were seen carrying idols of Lord Ganesh in rickshaws, cars and other means of transport.

Many politicians and celebrities from Bollywood install idols of the God of wisdom and knowledge in their homes every year.

While many famous Ganeshas are installed in the fidayeen in the early morning hours in Mumbai, including the most famous Lalbugsha Raja, many idols were taken out of the workshops to the fidayeen in processions.

People will be allowed to take darshan of the deity in the vandals after performing the puja as per the muhurat, an organizer said.

The city civic body said on September 18 that a total of 2,729 ‘Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals’ have been allowed to organize public Ganesh celebrations by holding ‘fidayeen’.

An official said that to maintain security during the festival, which witnesses thousands of people visiting the Fedayeen over ten days, more than 13,750 police personnel were deployed in the city.

He said on September 18 that these numbered 11,726 police officers, 2,024 officers from the rank of assistant inspector to assistant commissioner, and 15 deputy commissioners.

The notifications issued by the traffic police listed several steps for smooth flow of vehicles in the city, including banning heavy vehicles on certain days.

The official informed that the immersion day (September 28) will witness greater police presence on the ground and manpower details are being determined.

Ganesh celebrations are most celebrated in Mumbai, where idols of Lord Ganesh are installed in pandals and in homes.

Mumbaikars were thronging the city’s popular shopping spots of Dadar, Crawford Market and Lohar Chawl, to buy decorative items, flowers and puja materials among other festival paraphernalia.

People are in for a visual treat this year, as Ganesh mandalas in the city have come up with adorable themed decorations for their gangs.

Pandit lovers will be able to see the launch themes of Chandrayaan-3, Ayodhya Ram Temple and the 350th coronation anniversary of warrior king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, displayed by the grand mandals or fidayeen of the city.

A large number of devotees are expected to visit Lalbaug in central Mumbai to catch a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja, one of the most famous Ganeshas in the city, followed by GSB Seva Mandal’s Ganpati in Matunga, which is considered the richest and known for its grandeur. .

The ‘Mahaganpati’ of GSB Seva Mandal this year will sparkle with 66.5 kg of gold ornaments, more than 295 kg of silver as well as other precious items.

Other famous Ganesh mandalas are at Chinchpokli, Ganesh Guli and Tejokaya.

Apart from this, people will also be able to see the tallest Ganesha in the city at a height of 45 feet in Kitwadi area of ​​Girgaum.

A special cleanliness drive was conducted in Mumbai on September 17 as part of the Union government’s ‘Indian Cleanliness Association 2.0’, an inter-city cleanliness competition, a BMC statement said.