It was always my dream to see the grand Ganpati Visarjan at Girgaum Chowpatty on Marine drive in South Mumbai in Mumbai, I have passed by this Chowpatty many times, but have not been to it yet. I decided to take a day out with my friend to witness the visarjan.
Ganesh Chaturthi or Vinayaka Chaturthi is a festival of Hindus celebrated in various parts of India. This festival was first introduced by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj in his days, however, it was the freedom fighter Lokmanya Tilak who brought popularity to this festival by gathering people of all faiths to unite against the British rule.
Ganesh Visarjan is the last day of the Ganesh festival. In Mumbai big Ganesh idols are taken to the sea and immersed in the waters there.
The Ganesh idols come in all shapes and sizes. Each one tells a story. This multi dimensional character of Lord Ganesh is what endears him to his devotees.
The journey of the Ganesh idol from the beach to the sea is worth experiencing. The wheeled platform on which the idol sits is pulled by the organisers.
There were some people doing the last rites to Lord Ganesh before immersion.
As the sun sets into the Arabian sea, more and more Ganesh idols show up for immersion, in the fading evening light.