MUMBAI, September 20: More than 21,000 idols of Lord Ganesh and Goddess Gauri were immersed across Mumbai by 9 PM on Saturday, marking the sixth day of Ganeshotsav 2026. Civic officials said a total of 21,104 idols were immersed at different natural and artificial water bodies, with no untoward incident reported during the processions.
21,104 Idols Immersed by 9 PM
According to civic officials, Mumbai recorded 21,104 immersions by 9 PM on September 19.
The total included:
- 18,308 household Ganesh idols
- 2,734 Gauri idols
- 62 idols from public Ganesh mandals
Household idols accounted for the overwhelming majority of Saturday’s immersions.
Gauri-Ganpati Visarjan Draws Large Crowds
The sixth day of the festival saw families across Mumbai bid farewell to Gauri and Ganpati idols with traditional prayers, aartis and processions.
At locations including Chowpatty, devotees gathered for immersion ceremonies while police personnel were deployed along the coast and boats patrolled nearby waters as part of security arrangements.
Several devotees also used artificial eco-friendly ponds arranged by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for the immersions.
No Untoward Incident Reported
Civic authorities said the immersion process remained peaceful and no untoward incident was reported by the time the 9 PM figures were compiled.
The BMC had arranged designated immersion points and artificial ponds across Mumbai to help manage the large number of devotees participating in Ganeshotsav.
Police and civic teams were also stationed at major locations for crowd management and safety.
Immersion Numbers Rose Sharply Through Evening
Earlier on Saturday, BMC data showed only 307 idols had been immersed by 3 PM.
That figure included 270 household Ganesh idols, 33 Gauri idols and four public Ganesh mandal idols. The total climbed sharply later in the day as evening immersion processions began across the city.
By 9 PM, the overall figure had crossed 21,000.
Ganeshotsav Began on September 14
Ganeshotsav 2026 began on September 14 and is being celebrated over a 12-day period in Mumbai.
Different families and mandals immerse their idols according to different traditions, including after one-and-a-half days and on the third, fifth, sixth and seventh days of the festival.
The festival will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi on September 25, when Mumbai is expected to witness one of its largest immersion processions of the year.
BMC Prepares for Remaining Visarjan Days
The BMC has been preparing natural and artificial immersion sites across Mumbai as the festival progresses.
Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide had earlier reviewed arrangements at Girgaon Chowpatty and Dadar and directed officials to prioritise water safety, civic facilities and environmental protection during immersion activities.
Authorities are expected to maintain heightened crowd-management and security arrangements through the remaining days of Ganeshotsav, particularly ahead of the final Anant Chaturdashi visarjan.
source – PTI / BMC / Mid-Day / ThePrint
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