Ganesh Visarjan: Immersion processions begin in Maharashtra, devotees bid farewell to Bappa

As Ganeshotsav comes to an end, Maharashtra is getting ready for the grand tradition of Ganpati Visarjan. This 10-day festival, celebrated with devotion, music, and vibrant processions, reaches its emotional climax as thousands of devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha by immersing his idols in water today, on Anant Chaturdashi—an important Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

From Mumbai’s busy streets to Pune’s lively neighborhoods, people are gathering with love and reverence. The processions are colorful and filled with singing, dancing, and heartfelt prayers as everyone prepares to send Lord Ganesha back to his heavenly home. This tradition symbolizes the conclusion of Ganesh Chaturthi and teaches lessons about letting go and detachment.

In Mumbai, the atmosphere is charged with excitement. Girgaon Chowpatty, one of the city’s most famous immersion spots, is busy with devotees. Over 20,000 police officers are deployed across the city to ensure safety and smooth processions. The most awaited moment is the immersion of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai’s most popular Ganesh idol. Thousands gather for the final prayer, crying tears of devotion as the idol is carried to the sea.

A devotee at Lalbaug gave a heartfelt message, saying, “Today marks the end of ten beautiful days of devotion. The energy is high, but everyone feels emotional.” Many share stories of their deep connection with Bappa and the bittersweet feelings of saying goodbye.

Pune is also celebrating Ganpati Visarjan with equal fervor. The famous Guruji Talim Mandal led a lively procession, with drums and cymbals filling the streets. Families and community groups joined in, turning the city into a moving celebration. Some families even traveled from nearby cities, like Pimpri-Chinchwad, just to participate in the immersion in Mumbai’s Girgaum Chowpatty.

Rahul, a devoted father from Pimpri-Chinchwad, shared his feelings with , saying, “It was my son’s dream to immerse Ganpati in the sea. We worshipped Bappa for ten days, but it’s very emotional to say goodbye now. We will miss him a lot.”

This year, the Maharashtra government declared Ganeshotsav a state festival, making the celebrations even bigger and more organized. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar praised the effort of police and Ganesh mandals for maintaining peace. “Everyone worked hard to ensure safety and order during the festivities. The processions were smooth, and the atmosphere was joyful,” he said.

To avoid crowds, many mandals planned early immersions and nighttime processions with beautiful lights. The focus was on maintaining a peaceful environment so everyone could celebrate happily.

The festival ends on Anant Chaturdashi, a day special for bidding farewell to Lord Ganesha and celebrating Lord Vishnu’s eternal form, Anant. Streets echo with the chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya,” as devotees carry their idols to water, blending devotion, culture, and community spirit in a beautiful tradition.

This heartwarming celebration showcases Maharashtra’s rich culture and deep devotion, making Ganpati Visarjan a memorable and emotional experience for all.