Ganpati immersions deferred as heavy rains clog roads

MUMBAI: Devotees who host five-day Ganpatis were in a quandary about whether or not to head out for visarjan Tuesday. The lashing rains caused waterlogged roads and traffic snarls, and rumours on social media about the authorities discouraging visarjan did not help matters.

GSB King's Circle, the richest Ganpati mandal in the city, heads out for immersion this day. Trustee R G Bhat was keeping a tab on the weather report, police and BMC alerts. He said, "We will not venture out till the water recedes. The roads in Sion-Matunga are flooded. We travel to Girgaum Chowpatty for visarjan and the situation is similar across the city. We will consult our spiritual guru on steps to take in case we are delayed."

In Sanpada Navi Mumbai, Ramdas Walunj, whose five-day Ganpati is immersed at Palm Beach, was in a predicament. "The roads are waterlogged and traffic is dense but we must go, there is no option. Yet rickshaws are not available so my brothers are unable to come over. I do have a car but it can accommodate only five people so the extended family may not be able to accompany us. I have four brothers and normally all our families attend visarjan."

Vinod Satpute of Keshavji Naik chawl in Girgaum, which is celebrating its 125th Ganeshotsav, said not a single Ganpati was seen being led for visarjan in the precinct. "Fewer households immerse their idols on the fifth day as compared to the one and a half day or seven day festivities but still the numbers are vast. It is sad to see people waiting for the water to recede before they head out," said Satpute.

The fifth day of Ganeshotsav is also important since it marks the arrival of Gauri into the home. Some families bring out the masks they have stored from the previous year and perform puja at home. Some lead new idols in procession.

In Vasai, women of the Diwanman Sarvajanik Gauri Utsav Mahila Mandal in Diwanman brought the Gauri idol amidst rains on Tuesday. This is the 45th year the women, most wearing identical saris, have been hosting Gauri. They take turns to carry the idol on their head as they cover the 15 km stretch to reach the mandap.