Huge crowds were seen gathering before beginning its journey to its destination, where it will be installed in a specially prepared pandal

The transportation of Ganesh idols from workshops to pandals marks an important stage in preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi, one of India's biggest and most widely celebrated festivals

Artisans in Maharashtra have been working for months to complete idols of different sizes, which are now being delivered to homes and sarvajanik (public) mandals ahead of the festival

The festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu deity worshipped as the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity

During the celebrations, devotees offer prayers, flowers, sweets and devotional songs to the idols installed in homes and public pandals

The festival concludes with Ganesh Visarjan, when idols of Lord Ganesha are carried in colourful processions and immersed in rivers, lakes or the sea, symbolising the deity's return after blessing devotees