Mumbai:
 The 'visarjan' (immersion) processions of Ganesha idols, culminating the ten-day long 'Ganesh Chaturthi' festival, began here today amid tight security and fanfare as chants of "Ganpati bappa morya, pudcha varshi laukar ya" filled the air.
The processions are likely to last for the next 24-30 hours with devotees and chief of Ganesh Mandals dislodging the statues of the deity and immersing them in the sea, natural or artificial ponds in Mumbai. The morning downpour could not dampen the spirit of the revelers, who were seen on the streets singing and dancing, while bidding final adieu to Lord Ganesha.
Meanwhile, civic authorities claimed to have made elaborate arrangements for lakhs of devotees who will gather for the final festivities of famous Ganesh pandals, including 'Lalbaugcha Raja' and 'Ganesh Galli Cha Raja'. The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and city police have made adequate arrangements including deployment of choppers and drones to ensure smooth immersion procession.
The morning downpour could not dampen the spirit of the revelers, who were seen on the streets singing and dancing, while bidding final adieu to Lord Ganesha. Meanwhile, civic authorities claimed to have made elaborate arrangements for lakhs of devotees who will gather for the final festivities of famous Ganesh pandals, including 'Lalbaugcha Raja' and 'Ganesh Galli Cha Raja'.
The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and city police have made adequate arrangements including deployment of choppers and drones to ensure smooth immersion procession.
Police have beefed up security and companies of the State Reserve Police Force are also being deployed.
“We are in touch with all the concerned agencies and have made necessary arrangements for a smooth ‘Visarjan’ (immersion),†Mumbai Police spokesperson Ashok Dudhe told PTI.
“Apart from our full strength, cranes, watchtowers, drones, coast guard’s helicopters, CCTVs and floodlights have been arranged to keep a watch on every movement of the revellers and devotees,†he added.
A senior police officer told PTI that the leave of officials has been cancelled in view of the immersion.
“Our strong team of all assistant sub-inspectors, constables, women constables along with hundreds women officers, have been deployed to maintain law and order,†said the official.
#WATCH Prayers being offered at Lalbaugcha Raja (Mumbai) ahead of Ganpati immersion #GaneshChaturthia pic.twitter.com/fJc2cKFXnk
— ANI (@ANI_news) September 15, 2016
