Traditional prayers, chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' and sweet offerings of 'laddoos' and 'modaks' by devotees marked the commencement of the Ganesh festival in Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra on Monday, 2 September.
The 10-day long festival is being held this year amid the looming clouds of economic slowdown and the devastation caused by floods after heavy rains in some parts of the state.
As the festival began on Monday morning, idols of different shapes and sizes of the elephant-headed God, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and considered as a symbol of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune, were installed at the sarvanjik (community) mandals and at homes by devotees.
- Several Ganesh mandals have contributed funds to help those affected by floods in the state, particularly in Kolhapur and Sangli districts.
- Around 7,703 public and 1.63 lakh domestic idols have been installed this year in Mumbai
- Over 40,000 security personnel have been deployed in the city
- The festival will conclude with the visarjan, or immersion of the idols into a water body, on Anant Chaturdashi on 12 September
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Bollywood Actors Offer Prayers on Ganesh Chaturthi
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood prays with his family members on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai on 2 September 2019.
(Photo: PTI)
Delhi Govt Issues Revised List of 129 Sites for Idol Immersion
The Delhi government issued on Monday a revised list of 129 sites where artificial ponds have been dug up for immersion of idols during the festive season.
In a bid to reduce the pollution load on the Yamuna river, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) has asked puja organisers to immerse the idols in the artificial ponds built at designated sites across all 11 revenue districts of the national capital, PTI reported.
Of the 129 sites, 15 are in East Delhi, 8 in north, 11 in New Delhi, 7 in central Delhi, 12 in south, 15 in southwest, 16 in northwest, 8 in Shahdara, 10 in northeast, 19 in west and 8 in southeast Delhi.
Sonia Gandhi Greets People on Ganesh Chaturthi
Congress president Sonia Gandhi greeted people on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, saying it is a festival that symbolises the cultural unity of the country and brings people together.
"I extend my heartiest greetings and good wishes to all fellow Indians on the auspicious occasion of 'Ganesh Chaturthi'. Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival, which symbolises the cultural unity of the country and brings people together in an atmosphere of happiness," Sonia Gandhi said in her message to the people.
Nitin Gadkari Offers Prayers at His Nagpur Residence
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari offers prayer at his residence in Nagpur, on Ganesh Chaturthi.
