Ganpati Immersion And Eid-e-Milad Clash Averted: Mumbai Government Holiday Moved To September 18

The government holiday for Eid-e-Milad in Mumbai has been rescheduled from September 16 to September 18. This decision was made after requests from Muslim Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and various organisations. The change aims to avoid any inconvenience on September 18, when the final day of Ganpati immersion takes place, which is a significant event in the city.

Meanwhile, over 48,000 idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Gauri have already been immersed in Mumbai as part of the ongoing Ganesh festival, according to civic officials. As of 6 a.m. on Friday, a total of 48,044 idols had been immersed in both the Arabian Sea and artificial ponds set up across the city. Among these, 41,154 were household Ganesh idols, and 535 belonged to 'sarvajanik mandals'-community groups that organise public celebrations of the festival.

Photo Credit: PTI

Officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) also confirmed that 6,355 idols of Goddess Gauri were immersed. The immersion ceremonies were carried out with traditional chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya,' along with prayers and devotional music. The idols were respectfully bid farewell by devotees after durations of one-and-a-half, five, or six to seven days.

In an effort to reduce water pollution, 17,603 household Ganesh idols, 124 community Ganpati idols, and 2,482 Gauri idols were immersed in artificial ponds rather than natural water bodies. This measure is part of the BMC's environmental initiative to safeguard Mumbai's lakes and seas.

Ganeshotsav, which began on September 7 with Ganesh Chaturthi, is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in Mumbai and throughout Maharashtra. The festival will conclude on 17 September with the grand immersion on Anant Chaturdashi. To manage the large crowds, around 12,000 personnel have been deployed, and 204 artificial ponds have been prepared. Additionally, 71 control rooms, 761 lifeguards, and 48 motorboats are in place to ensure the smooth and safe immersion of idols across the city.