Palghar all set for Ganeshotsav, 12,564 idols to be installed, tight police bandobast

Amid the beat of dhol-tasha, decorated markets and preparations for Bappa's arrival, Ganeshotsav festivities have begun in Palghar district. This year the district will see a total of 12,564 Ganesh idols installed, including 1,512 public pandals and 10,613 household installations. In addition, Gauri idols will be set up at 844 places. The administration and police are fully prepared ahead of the festival.

The Wada, Boisar, Palghar, Dahanu, Manor and Vikramgad areas of the district have the highest number of Ganesh idols. Wada police station area will have 175 public and 1,150 household Ganpati installations, while the Boisar area will have 232 public and 2,125 household installations. Immersions will take place at different times, from a day and a half after installation through to Anant Chaturdashi. Special attention is being paid to crowd management at large mandals, help from volunteers, and rapid emergency response. Police have appealed for Ganeshotsav to be celebrated peacefully, with mutual harmony and enthusiasm.

To maintain law and order during the festival, Palghar police have planned special deployment. Along with police officers and staff, Home Guard personnel, riot control units and State Reserve Police Force units have been posted at key locations. Extra vigilance will be maintained on procession routes and immersion sites where large crowds are expected.

With only two days left for Ganeshotsav, markets have seen a rush of shoppers buying decoration material, flowers and puja items, as well as makhar for home Ganpati installations. At public mandals, welcoming ceremonies for the Ganesh idols have already begun to the beat of dhol-tasha.