Mumbai Ganesh Visarjan 2026: Girgaon Chowpatty pavilion set up for foreign tourists

The Maharashtra Tourism Department has set up a special viewing pavilion at Girgaon Chowpatty to give foreign tourists an opportunity to witness the Ganesh idol immersion ceremony and experience the cultural traditions associated with the festivalThe pavilion has been arranged as part of efforts to showcase Maharashtrarsquos cultural heritage to international visitors and promote cultural tourism the department said in a statement on WednesdayThe 12day Ganesh festival will conclude on September 25 when large idols will be taken in processions across Mumbai before being immersed in the sea and other water bodiesSpecial pavilion set up at Girgaon ChowpattyThe viewing facility at Girgaon Chowpatty will allow foreign tourists to observe the immersion ceremonies from a designated location The Tourism Department said the initiative is intended to provide visitors with an opportunity to experience the festival and learn about its cultural significanceThe department said the pavilion would showcase different aspects of Maharashtrarsquos cultural heritage while giving international visitors a closer view of the celebrations surrounding the immersion of Ganesh idolsThrough a peoplecentric festival like Ganeshotsav the government is making efforts to take Maharashtras unique cultural identity to visitors from across the world By encouraging such initiatives we are promoting the growth of tourism in the state through cultural tourism said Tourism Minister Shambhuraj DesaiTourism officials highlight cultural significanceMaharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Tourism Sanjay Khandare said the facility at Girgaon beach would give foreign tourists an opportunity to experience local cultural traditions firsthandThrough the pavilion visitors will be introduced to the historical cultural and spiritual significance of Ganeshotsav Initiatives such as these will help showcase Maharashtras rich cultural heritage more effectively to audiences at the international level he saidThe initiative comes as Mumbai prepares for the final day of the Ganesh festival which is marked by large processions and the immersion of idols Girgaon Chowpatty is among the citys prominent locations for Ganesh idol immersionForeign visitors to experience Ganesh immersionVikas Pansare Director of the Directorate of Tourism said the pavilion would give foreign visitors an opportunity to learn about different aspects of the festival and witness the immersion ceremonyThis will help showcase Maharashtras cultural traditions warm hospitality and the diverse opportunities available for cultural tourism to international visitors he addedThe Tourism Department said such initiatives were aimed at creating opportunities for visitors to engage with Maharashtrarsquos cultural traditions while also highlighting the state as a destination for cultural tourismGanesh festival to conclude on September 25The 12day Ganesh festival will conclude on September 25 with the immersion of idols at beaches lakes and other designated water bodies across Mumbai and MaharashtraIn Mumbai the final day is expected to see large processions as devotees accompany idols to immersion points Girgaon Chowpatty is one of the major locations where idols are immersed during the festivalThe Tourism Department said the viewing pavilion was part of its efforts to use major cultural events to introduce international visitors to Maharashtrarsquos traditions and heritageThe department said the initiative would also help provide foreign tourists with a structured opportunity to observe the celebrations while highlighting the cultural and tourism potential associated with GaneshotsavWith inputs from PTI