Chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" echoed through the streets while decorated trucks carrying the towering idols made their way through cheering crowds

The procession, which symbolises Lord Ganesh's arrival in the city, drew large numbers of onlookers eager to witness the beginning of one of Maharashtra's most celebrated festivals

With the idols on its way to sarvajanik (public) pandals, Mumbai is gearing up for the grand celebrations, as organisers complete preparations at pandals and devotees eagerly await Bappa's arrival

For months, skilled artisans have worked tirelessly to create idols of different sizes

With the completion of the idols, the next stage of the celebrations has begun as they are carefully transported to their destinations

The streets of Parel witnessed an atmosphere of celebration as large idols were loaded onto specially decorated vehicles and taken through the area

Devotees, workshop workers and local residents gathered to watch the colourful processions

Parel has long been recognised as one of Mumbai's key centres for the creation of large Ganesh idols

Every year, artisans spend several months sculpting, painting and decorating the idols before they are transported to public pandals and homes

Over the coming days, thousands of Ganesh idols will make their way to different parts of the city