GANESH VISARJAN AMIDST GREAT POMP & PAGEANTRY
Amidst chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudchya Varsi Lavkar Ya” reverberating in Mumbai and elsewhere, lakhs of Ganesh devotees a bid a fond farewell to their most beloved Elephant God on Thursday, 12th September by immersing His idols on waterfronts. This terminated the 10 days’ celebrations on the auspicious occasion of ‘Anant Chaturthi’ which had commenced with ‘Ganesh Chaturthi’ on 2nd September. On this occasion, devotees were seen decked up in all their finery, dancing hysterically to the rhythm of the dhol tasha.
On the final day of the celebrations, i.e. on Thursday, each Mandal committee was seen preparing to immerse its idol. Also, in view of the Metro 4 project, no private or political party was permitted by BMC T-Ward to erect any pandal on LBS Road. Therefore, pandals were erected in Mulund (E) to welcome Ganesh devotees. In Mulund (E), Morya Talav at Eastern Express Highway, artificial ponds at Veer Savarkar Road and Swapna Nagari and Mithagar Talav were the dedicated spots for the immersion.
Social organisations like Hans Yuva Pratishthan and Leo Club distributed refreshing sherbets at Paanch Rasta much to the pleasure of all Ganesh devotees in the processions. Varun Thakkar of Hans Yuva Pratishthan averred that the cold drinks were distributed keeping in mind the utmost fervour and devotion of the processionists.
Food was served at Mulund Colony under the auspices of Manav Seva Education Trust and Shopkeepers Welfare Association where 20,000 dosas were prepared for the event. Manav Seva’s President, Bharat Gangwani claimed that every year a similar food distribution programme would be held for Ganesh devotees.
Free vada pav and drinks were given out by Jeetu Mama and his team this year also as in the past 7 years. Nearly 15-20,000 devotees were fed vada pav this year. Dhaval Soneta disclosed that there was tremendous enthusiasm this year and it was a pleasure to serve the Ganesh bhakts.
Noise pollution in many places: police unaware
Noise pollution complaints have been received from several places in Mulund. Police checked noise pollution levels at various places using noise pollution measuring devices. However, they could not find a single Mandal violating noise pollution norms, whereas citizens have claimed that at many places noise pollution norms were breached by using loud-speakers as also fireworks were lit. This led to both noise and air pollution. However, the police have denied this. This leads to suspicion if the police will ever act against the violators in this case.
This year also Ganpati immersion in darkness
On Anant Chaturthi this year when devotees were seeing bidding a tearful farewell to Bappa, visarjan was held at e few places in Mulund in darkness. The administration was once again seen wanting in its work. The Gateway to Mulund, the Check Naka was completely enveloped in darkness as was the case in 2018 when Ganesh bhakts had to confront great difficulties. This year, too, the devotees had to bid farewell to Bappa in the darkness there. Even the Traffic Police at the Check Naka had to manage the traffic in darkness even though no permission had been granted to any Mandal on LBS Marg owing to the Metro work. Hence, there was no brightness from the halogen lights as in last year. The electricity companies should have made adequate lighting arrangements in view of the Metro work. However, their failure to do so caused tremendous inconvenience to the devotees. Surprisingly, Mahavitaran failed miserably in this department even though Ganeshotsav is considered to be the biggest celebration in Maharashtra.
