Mumbai: Devotion and decorations on display as Ganesh festival begins

Mumbai is steeped in devotion as the revered annual Ganesh festival commences marking the welcoming of Lord Ganesh into homes and hearts The tenday extravaganza which began on Tuesday is marked by the decoration of pandals and homes creating an atmosphere of spiritual grandeurThe civic authorities of the city have granted permission to a total of 2729 sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals to organize public Ganesh festivities by erecting pandals making it a community affair that brings together people from all walks of lifeIn anticipation of the grand event extensive preparations have been carried out including rigorous inspections of pandal premises idol immersion routes and key locations Security remains a paramount concern during this festival which draws hundreds of thousands of devotees to various pandals over ten days To address this more than 13750 police personnel have been deployed across the city including 11726 constables 2024 officers from subinspector to assistant commissioner ranks and 15 deputy commissionersNotifications issued by the traffic police listed several moves for a smooth flow of vehicles in the metropolis including a ban on heavy vehicles on certain days PTI reportedAlso read Maharashtra 10day Ganesh festival begins with pomp and gaietyThere will be a ban on the operation of private buses and heavy vehicles in South Mumbai on September 212426 and 29 Between September 19 to 29 all types of heavy vehicles are allowed to operate between midnight and 7 AM except September 212426 and 29 in South Mumbai the official saidImmersion day September 28 will see a larger presence of police on the ground and manpower details being chalked out the official informedGanesh festivities are the most patronised in Mumbai with idols of Lord Ganesh being installed in pandals and at homesFrom the launch of Chandrayaan3 to Ayodhyas Ram Mandir Ganesh mandals in Mumbai have gone all out with the themes for the pandalsMumbaikars have been thronging the popular shopping spots of the city at Dadar Crawford Market and Lohar Chawl to buy decor items flowers and puja materials among other festival paraphernaliaPeople are in for a visual treat this year as the citys Ganesh mandals have come up with fascinating thematic decorations for their pandalsPandalhoppers will get to see themes of the Chandrayaan3 launch Ayodhya Ram Temple and the 350th anniversary of the coronation of warriorking Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj showcased by big mandals or pandals in the cityWhile a majority of the big mandals have already brought their idols to the pandals in grand processions over the last few weeks household bappas will make their way home to the beat of drums and happy chants on TuesdayA large number of devotees are expected to visit Lalbaug in central Mumbai to catch a glimpse of Lalbaugcha Raja one of the most celebrated Ganeshas of the city followed by GSB Seva Mandals Ganpati in Matunga which is considered the richest and known for its grandeurOther famous Ganesh mandals are in Chinchpokli Ganesh Gully and TejukayaApart from these people will also get to see the citys tallest Ganesha at 45 feet in the Khetwadi area of GirgaumThe Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has completed the works of filling potholes pruning trees and cleaning areas as well as deployment of medical nirmalya and lifeguard teams have been completedA BMC release said a special cleanliness drive was undertaken in Mumbai on Sunday as a part of the Union governments Indian Cleanliness League 20 an intercity cleanliness competition