High Tide Delays Lalbaugcha Raja Immersion, Devotees Wait at Girgaon Chowpatty for Over 8 Hours

This year, the immersion of Lalbaugcha Raja at Mumbai’s Girgaon Chowpatty has faced an unexpected hurdle. Due to high tide, the rising sea levels have disrupted the immersion process. The grand procession began on Saturday morning at 10 AM, but the traditional immersion, which usually happens by Sunday morning 9 AM, is still pending. Despite continuous efforts by the Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal and BMC teams, the strong waves have made it difficult to place the massive idol onto the hydraulic floating platform. Thousands of devotees have gathered at the beach, waiting patiently for their beloved Bappa’s final farewell.

Special Hydraulic Trolley Used to Carry the Idol into the Sea

Every year, Lalbaugcha Raja’s immersion at Girgaon Chowpatty is carried out using a special hydraulic floating trolley. The colossal idol is carefully lifted using cranes and placed on this high-tech platform. The trolley then carries Bappa deep into the sea, where the immersion takes place in the presence of lakhs of devotees chanting, praying, and bidding farewell. This year’s procession was as grand as ever, with roads decorated and devotees welcoming Bappa with dhol-tasha beats, lezim performances, bhajans, aartis, and showers of flowers. However, due to the strong waves, placing the idol on the platform has become challenging, adding to the anxiety and excitement of the waiting devotees.

“Vighnaharta” Faces a Hurdle, Waiting for High Tide to Recede

The Lalbaugcha Raja immersion is known for its magnificence and devotion, but this year, nature has created a rare hurdle. The high tide has slowed down the process, delaying Bappa’s final journey into the deep sea. The mandal, along with BMC, NDRF, and police teams, are working tirelessly to ensure the idol’s safe immersion. Authorities are monitoring the tide closely, and the immersion will resume once the sea levels are suitable. Until then, devotees continue to wait patiently, chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Laukar Ya!”, filling the entire Chowpatty with devotion, energy, and faith.

(Reported by Pankaj R Mishra)