Maharashtra: Lalbaugcha Raja Immersion Marks End Of 21-Hour Procession
Had prayed for happiness, prosperity and good health for everyone: Anant Ambani
MUMBAI: The 21-hour-long Ganesh immersion festivities in Mumbai concluded on Saturday morning with the immersion of Lalbaugcha Raja at around 11 am, drawing thousands of devotees to Girgaon Chowpatty.
Industrialist Mukesh Ambani’s son, Anant Ambani, joined the immersion procession and was seen aboard a barge during the ceremony. The procession, which had been underway for nearly 24 hours, saw thousands of devotees gather at Girgaon Chowpatty to bid farewell to the deity. Several devotees stood waist-deep in the sea to witness the immersion.
The idol of Lalbaugcha Raja was taken into the deep sea with the help of boats and rafts operated by members of the Koli community. While the final immersion took place at around 11 am, several Ganesh mandals continued their immersion processions thereafter.
Anant Ambani, who frequently visits Lalbaugcha Raja during the Ganesh festival, told the media after the immersion that he had prayed for happiness, prosperity and good health for everyone.
“I have been witnessing this atmosphere for the past 20 years. The grandeur of Lalbaugcha Raja keeps growing. Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkarya (come back early next year), Jay Ganesh,” he said, while extending his wishes to people on Anant Chaturdashi.
Earlier this week, Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani and his wife, Nita Ambani, were seen visiting the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal with their grandchildren and Anant Ambani.
On Friday, Anant Chaturdashi, thousands of devotees gathered at Mumbai’s beaches and designated immersion sites. Large crowds remained at Girgaon Chowpatty until Saturday afternoon, with major immersion sites such as Dadar and Juhu also witnessing large gatherings.
According to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Mumbai’s Ganesh immersion festivities concluded smoothly, with 1,99,185 idols immersed across the city this year. Of these, 36,240 idols were immersed on Anant Chaturdashi until 3 pm on September 26.
Of the total idols immersed, 10,421 were from public Ganesh mandals, 1,82,029 were household idols and 6,735 were Gauri and Hartalika idols.
The BMC said 62,762 idols were immersed after one-and-a-half days, 37,069 after five days, 44,286 after six days, 18,828 after seven days and 36,240 after 11 days.
As devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha, Mumbai’s major immersion sites echoed with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkarya” (come back early next year).