The 10-day Ganesh festival began in Maharashtra on Saturday, with vibrant celebrations as devotees welcomed Lord Ganesh into their homes and public pandals. Early in the morning, families, including children and elders, stepped out amid chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" to bring home idols of the deity. Some carried idols in vehicles like autorickshaws and cars, while traditional dhol-tasha troupes led processions.

Markets bustled with devotees buying flowers, sweets, and puja materials for the festivities. Popular public pandals, including Lalbaugcha Raja and Chinchpokli, are already drawing large crowds. Mumbai has seen 2,635 mandals granted permission to set up pandals, with over 15,000 police personnel deployed to ensure security during the celebrations.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde encouraged eco-friendly celebrations and called for preserving Maharashtra's cultural heritage. He also urged citizens to support the needy during the festival.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cautioned citizens against stingray and jellyfish bites during idol immersions in the Arabian Sea. Recent trial netting by the Fisheries Department revealed a significant presence of harmful marine life, including stingrays and jellyfish, near immersion sites at Girgaon and Dadar. Devotees are advised to take precautions during the immersion process to avoid potential hazards.

The festival continues to showcase Maharashtra's rich cultural traditions while balancing safety and environmental responsibility.

The 10-day Ganesh festival began in Maharashtra on Saturday, with vibrant celebrations as devotees welcomed Lord Ganesh into their homes and public pandals. Early in the morning, families, including children and elders, stepped out amid chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" to bring home idols of the deity. Some carried idols in vehicles like autorickshaws and cars, while traditional dhol-tasha troupes led processions.

Markets bustled with devotees buying flowers, sweets, and puja materials for the festivities. Popular public pandals, including Lalbaugcha Raja and Chinchpokli, are already drawing large crowds. Mumbai has seen 2,635 mandals granted permission to set up pandals, with over 15,000 police personnel deployed to ensure security during the celebrations.

Chief Minister Eknath Shinde encouraged eco-friendly celebrations and called for preserving Maharashtra's cultural heritage. He also urged citizens to support the needy during the festival.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has cautioned citizens against stingray and jellyfish bites during idol immersions in the Arabian Sea. Recent trial netting by the Fisheries Department revealed a significant presence of harmful marine life, including stingrays and jellyfish, near immersion sites at Girgaon and Dadar. Devotees are advised to take precautions during the immersion process to avoid potential hazards.

The festival continues to showcase Maharashtra's rich cultural traditions while balancing safety and environmental responsibility.