Ganesh Chaturthi: Devotees throng temples and pandals across Maharashtra

The ten-day Ganeshotsav began in Maharashtra with Ganesh Chaturthi on Monday, as large crowds of devotees gathered at major temples and pandals across the state from early morning. Chants of "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya" echoed across Maharashtra.

Enthusiasm for Ganesh Chaturthi was at its peak in Mumbai. The biggest attraction in the city was the Lalbaugcha Raja pandal, where long queues of devotees formed from the morning for darshan. Similarly, devotees were seen waiting in line for darshan at the Siddhivinayak temple. Temple administration said tight security arrangements had been made this time to manage the crowds. Mumbai Police and temple volunteers were jointly handling arrangements to ensure both the convenience and safety of devotees.

Nagpur district also saw considerable festivity around Ganesh Chaturthi. A large crowd of devotees gathered from the morning at the well-known Ganesh Tekri temple. People arrived to seek the blessings of Ganpati Bappa for happiness, prosperity and peace, with the temple premises filled with a devotional atmosphere and chants in praise of Ganpati.

A volunteer managing arrangements at the temple said it is a ten-day festival that sees heavy crowds, so the aim is to ensure every devotee gets a proper darshan. Separate queues have been made for men and women, and e-rickshaws and electric vehicles have been arranged to bring elderly devotees to the temple easily. He also said prasad is available inside the temple, while a separate area outside has been designated for prasad vendors. Twelve temple volunteers and security personnel have been deployed continuously to manage the crowd. The volunteer appealed to devotees not to bring puja items inside the temple, as this adds to congestion and delays darshan, and asked them to simply fold their hands and seek the deity's blessings.

The temple is believed to date back to the Bhosale era and is around 200 to 300 years old, having gradually developed over time into its present grand form. It is said that prominent actors and politicians also visit for darshan, and that the temple sees especially large crowds every Tuesday. One devotee, describing the experience, said they came for Ganesh Chaturthi and had darshan, and that the atmosphere there was joyful and pleasant. According to the devotee, the real meaning of Ganesh Chaturthi is that Lord Ganesh removes our troubles and brings happiness, and that people should try to spread joy to others rather than causing them sorrow.

In the coastal district of Sindhudurg too, Ganeshotsav began with age-old customs. Ganpati idols are being brought into homes, and this year around 68,800 households in the district will install Ganesh idols, while public celebrations will be held at 31 locations. The administration said all preparations have been completed for a peaceful and safe celebration. The same devotional atmosphere will continue across Maharashtra for the next ten days, after which Bappa will be bid farewell on Anant Chaturdashi with an invitation to return early next year.