Ganeshotsav, or Ganesh Chaturthi the most favourite festival of Maharashtra begins today. Mumbaikars have finished their last minute preparations for the 10-day mega festival. Markets are full of flower-laden palkhis, rhinestone-encrusted crowns and decorated thrones.
Chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangalmurti Morya have started to fill up every street and corner as Mumbaikars are welcoming their favourite God, Lord Ganesha.
The atmosphere is filled with beauty and fragrance of colourful flowers, essence of sweets like Modak and Karanji, and the bright lights are shining outside almost every home and pandal in Mumbai. This year, Mumbai will have about 6300 Ganesh pandals, more than 1.2 lakh home Ganesh idols and about 9000 Gauri idols.
Almost all the Mumbaikars have finished their decorations but there are few who are also busy in the last minute decorations and shopping, Markets in Mumbai are fully crowded since morning especially the flower Market in Dadar area is totally packed with vendors and devotees purchasing flowers and other things for their favourite god. The processions will be seen later in the day at various places and the whole environment will be filled with the sound of Dhol and lezim dance. Mumbai Police is on its toes to ensure that the city remains safe and peaceful during these ten days.
More than 50, 000 policemen are deployed on duty apart from personnel from Quick Response Team, Rapid Action Force, and State Reserve Police Force. 6000 CCTV cameras are also being used for surveillance, Mumbai Police will also use drone cameras at five of the most crowded immersion points. Traffic restrictions will also be in place to avoid inconvenience to devotees flocking the city for darshan and also to ensure that visarjan routes remain clear.
President, Vice President and Prime Minister have greeted the people on the auspicious occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi today. In his message, President Pranab Mukherjee hoped that the Lord Ganesha, remove all obstacles on the path of progress and prosperity of the nation. He asked the people to dedicate the day for building a strong and vibrant nation.
Vice President M. Hamid Ansari said, Lord Ganesh is revered as an embodiment of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune in the country. He added, invoking Lord Ganesh before start of any good work and project is a common practice. Mr Ansari hoped that this festival will bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the country.
In a tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also greeted the people and hoped that the blessings of Lord Ganesh always remain with everyone.