16 September,2026 11:56 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
No untoward incident was reported during the immersion processions, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials. Pic/PTI
More than 61,500 Lord Ganesh idols were immersed at various locations across Mumbai by 4 am on Wednesday, September 16, marking the end of the one-and-a-half-day worship period for devotees observing the early immersion tradition during the 12-day Ganeshotsav.
Amid chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya", Mumbai saw the immersion of mostly household idols, with BMC officials reporting no untoward incidents during the processions.
The civic body had made arrangements at immersion locations across the city, including artificial ponds, to accommodate devotees and facilitate the movement of processions.
According to figures shared by BMC officials, 61,135 household Ganesh idols had been immersed by 4 am on Wednesday. The number of public Ganesh mandal idols immersed during the period stood at 301.
The figures also included 92 Hartalika idols, taking the total number of immersions recorded during the period to 61,528.
The breakup of the immersions was:
Public Ganesh idols: 301
Household Ganesh idols: 61,135
Hartalika idols: 92
Total: 61,528
BMC officials said no untoward incident was reported during the immersions covered by the update.
The civic body had put arrangements in place at designated immersion points, including artificial ponds, to manage the large number of devotees participating in the processions. The arrangements were aimed at facilitating immersions while managing crowds and movement around the sites.
Mumbai witnesses large-scale participation during Ganeshotsav, with thousands of households and public mandals bringing idols into their homes and community spaces for worship before immersing them according to their respective traditions.
Ganesh idols are immersed on different days depending on family and community traditions. While many devotees observe the one-and-a-half-day immersion, others immerse their idols on the fifth, seventh or final day of the festival.
The first major immersion period follows the completion of one-and-a-half days of worship and marks the beginning of several immersion days across Mumbai.
The festival is celebrated with prayers and public gatherings, while processions accompanying the idols to immersion sites form an important part of the celebrations.
The 12-day Ganeshotsav will culminate on Anant Chaturdashi, which falls on September 25 this year.
On the final day, large numbers of devotees and public mandals are expected to take part in immersion processions across Mumbai. The idols will be immersed in designated water bodies and artificial facilities after the processions.
The BMC has made arrangements at immersion sites across the metropolis as the festival progresses. Artificial ponds and other designated facilities are being used to provide additional options for devotees and help manage the volume of immersions.
