12 September,2026 06:45 PM IST | Mumbai | Ronak Mastakar
With Ganesh Chaturthi set to begin on September 14, these traditional festival hubs are demanding a practical balance between environmental safeguards and the long-standing tradition of sea immersion. File Photo
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's decision to make the immersion of Ganesh idols below six feet mandatory in artificial ponds has disappointed several murtikars and Ganesh mandal organisers in Girgaon and Lalbaug, who want smaller idols to be allowed to be immersed in the sea at designated locations.
With Ganesh Chaturthi set to begin on September 14, these traditional festival hubs are demanding a practical balance between environmental safeguards and the long-standing tradition of sea immersion.
Murtikars said the restriction is particularly difficult for families and smaller mandals that have been taking their idols to the sea for generations.
"Most of the idols made for homes and smaller mandals are well below six feet and made from shadu (clay). These are not massive idols that require heavy machinery or elaborate arrangements. If pollution is the concern, then the administration should regulate the materials that are used for making the idols and colours instead of stopping devotees from immersing small idols in the sea altogether," said 73-year-old Pradeep Maduskar, a murtikar from Girgaon.
Maduskar said devotees associate the sea with the traditional farewell to Lord Ganesha.
"For generations, people in Girgaon have taken their Ganpati idols to the sea for visarjan. Suddenly asking everyone to go to an artificial pond changes the entire experience. We understand the environmental concerns, but there should be a way to allow small, eco-friendly idols to be immersed at designated points in the sea," he said.
Murtikars also raised concerns about the practical difficulties of taking idols to artificial ponds, particularly during peak immersion days.
"Artificial ponds are a good option, but they cannot be the only option. On the main immersion days, there will be thousands of devotees carrying idols. There will be queues, traffic, and limited space. If small idols are allowed at selected sea-immersion points, the pressure on artificial ponds will also come down," said a Lalbaug-based murtikar, who did not wish to be named.
Ganesh mandal organisers said a blanket restriction on sea immersion for idols below six feet does not take into account the difference between large public idols and small household or community idols.
"A two- or three-foot Ganpati idol is very different from a 15- or 20-foot idol. The environmental impact, logistics, and number of people involved [in immersions] are completely different [in both the cases]. There should be a policy that takes public opinion into consideration. The authorities should also create more awareness about these issues well in advance, rather than issuing a small notice at the last minute. There should be a policy for smaller idols instead of putting all of them under the same restriction," said 42-year-old Adhvait Pedhamkar, joint secretary of the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal.
Pedhamkar said the civic authorities could introduce a controlled system instead of a complete prohibition.
"We are not asking for unrestricted immersion anywhere and everywhere. The BMC can identify specific stretches of the beach, assign timings, and deploy staff to supervise the process. If an idol is made of shadu and eco-friendly colours are used, why can't devotees be given the option of immersing it in the sea?" he questioned.
Thirty-nine-year-old Abhishek Tondankar, treasurer of the 5th Kumbharwada Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Girgaon, said the sea has emotional and cultural significance for Mumbai's Ganeshotsav.
"Visarjan is not just the final ritual of the festival; it is an emotional moment for devotees. Taking the idol to the sea, singing the traditional chants and bidding Bappa farewell is part of Mumbai's Ganeshotsav culture. Artificial ponds can certainly be provided, but devotees should also have a choice for small idols," said Tondankar.
Organisers suggested that the administration could impose stricter conditions on sea immersion rather than disallowing it altogether.
"If the government is worried about water pollution, there are several ways to address it. Mandals can be required to use shadu clay, natural colours and other eco-friendly materials. The immersion can happen only at designated locations and under supervision. This would protect the environment while also respecting tradition," said Tondankar.
He said such an arrangement could also encourage more people to switch to eco-friendly idols.
"Give people an incentive to choose eco-friendly idols. Tell them that if their idol meets certain environmental standards, they can use a designated sea-immersion point. That would encourage both tradition and environmental responsibility," Tondankar said.
The BMC has made arrangements at artificial ponds across Mumbai and said the immersion of idols below six feet will have to take place there in accordance with the court directions currently applicable during the festival period.
"As per the directions currently in force, Ganesh idols below six feet are required to be immersed in artificial immersion ponds. The BMC has made arrangements at designated locations across Mumbai to facilitate the immersion process and ensure that devotees do not face inconvenience. The arrangements have been planned keeping in mind both environmental concerns and the large number of devotees expected during the festival," a BMC official, who did not wish to be named, said.
The official added that devotees and Ganesh mandals have been urged to cooperate with the civic authorities and use the designated immersion facilities during the festival.
However, for murtikars and mandals in Girgaon and Lalbaug, the demand remains focused on giving devotees an additional option.
"We are not against artificial ponds. They should be available and properly managed. But there is no reason why a small, eco-friendly Ganpati idol cannot be allowed to be immersed in the sea in a controlled manner. The administration should look at a solution that works for devotees rather than simply imposing a blanket restriction," said Tondankar.
