Devotion peaks : Nearly 30,000 Ganesh idols immersed across Mumbai by Thursday night

by Webdesk
29 Aug 2025

Mumbai Marks Eco-Friendly Ganesh Visarjan with Record Idol Immersions

Mumbai, the city of celebrations, witnessed a remarkable blend of tradition and environmental consciousness during this year’s Ganesh visarjan. By Thursday night, official records revealed that close to 29,965 idols had been immersed across the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) highlighted that a large proportion of these immersions were carried out in specially created artificial ponds, making the festival not just grand but also eco-sensitive.

According to civic data, the majority of the idols immersed were household Ganesh idols, locally known as Gharguti idols. Out of the total figure, 29,614 belonged to households, while 337 were from various Sarvajanik mandals (public/community groups). This indicates that while community festivities continue to thrive, individual households are driving the sheer volume of immersions across Mumbai.

By 9 pm on Thursday, civic officials confirmed that more than half of the idols had found their way into artificial ponds rather than natural water bodies. Statistics from the afternoon showed that by 3 pm alone, 583 idols had been immersed, of which 326 were placed in these temporary ponds. This trend is being hailed as a significant step forward in protecting the city’s marine ecosystem.

Artificial ponds, set up strategically across Mumbai, have played a crucial role in this eco-conscious shift. This year, the BMC increased the number of such facilities from 204 last year to 288, providing citizens with better access and encouraging greener practices. These ponds are essentially inflatable tanks filled with water, designed to mimic natural immersion points but without harming rivers, lakes, or the Arabian Sea.

The move comes in response to growing concerns about Plaster of Paris (POP), a material widely used in crafting Ganesh idols. POP does not dissolve easily in natural water bodies and is harmful to marine and aquatic life. By diverting immersions to artificial ponds, the city is attempting to strike a balance between cultural devotion and environmental responsibility.

To ensure smooth execution, more than 500 civic workers were stationed across different locations in Mumbai. Their task included not only managing the crowds but also collecting the remnants of POP idols after immersion. Once collected, the debris is transported to the BMC’s facility in Bhiwandi, where it undergoes recycling. This system, introduced in recent years, ensures that harmful waste does not accumulate in the city’s fragile ecosystem.

Officials further confirmed that despite the massive turnout and the scale of operations, no untoward incidents were reported during the immersion process. This reflects the effectiveness of crowd management, safety measures, and the cooperative spirit of citizens.

This year’s Ganesh visarjan has therefore stood out not only for the sheer number of idols immersed but also for the shift in public mindset. More families and mandals are choosing eco-friendly alternatives, whether through smaller clay idols or by embracing the use of artificial ponds for immersion.

The BMC’s proactive measures, coupled with citizens’ growing awareness, have set a precedent for how religious festivities can coexist with environmental conservation. For a city like Mumbai, where cultural traditions are celebrated on an unmatched scale, the push toward greener solutions is both challenging and essential.

As the immersion season continues, civic officials expect the total number of idols to rise significantly. Yet, the emphasis remains clear: reducing environmental damage without compromising the devotion and grandeur that define Ganesh Chaturthi.

In essence, this year’s first major visarjan day has sent a strong message—Mumbai is ready to celebrate with both heart and responsibility. The blend of faith, devotion, and eco-consciousness is shaping a new era of Ganeshotsav, where the city embraces tradition while safeguarding its future.

Image Courtesy:

02 Jan 2026

BMC Elections

Devotion peaks : Nearly 30,000 Ganesh idols immersed across Mumbai by Thursday night

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