Chintamani Ganpati Idol Reaches Girgaum Chowpatty as Mumbai Bids Farewell to Bappa

The Chintamani Ganpati idol arrived at Girgaum Chowpatty on Saturday morning, as crowds gathered along the route for the final day of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Mumbai.

The multi-armed idol was taken through dense gatherings on a decorated platform, with the procession moving steadily towards the immersion point. Streets along the way were lined with devotees who waved, recorded the spectacle on their phones and joined in the festive atmosphere.

Ganpati Visarjan marks the close of the 10-day Ganeshotsav, when devotees bid farewell to Lord Ganesha by immersing idols in water. In Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra, large public idols are traditionally carried in elaborate processions to designated immersion sites such as Girgaum Chowpatty.

This year's Ganesh Chaturthi began on September 14, setting in motion ten days of prayers, decorations and gatherings at homes and temples. Offerings to the deity include flowers and sweets, with modaks among the most closely associated.

Across India, the festival brings communities together for prayer and celebration, and the concluding Visarjan rituals draw large numbers of people to immersion points to offer prayers and watch the processions pass.