Mumbai: The city was immersed in devotion on Saturday morning as the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganpati began its grand visarjan procession. Following the final aarti at the renowned pandal, thousands of devotees gathered to bid farewell to their cherished Bappa, filling the air with chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya.”
The towering idol, decorated with vibrant flower garlands and currency notes, was prepared for its journey through Mumbai’s bustling streets toward Girgaon Chowpatty for immersion. Despite crowd-control efforts by the mandal’s volunteers, countless devotees lined the lanes, eager for one last darshan of the Raja.
Lalbaugcha Raja’s Visarjan Route
The procession followed its historic path, stopping at key landmarks. It began at Lalbaug Market and Chinchpokli Station, where crowds gathered beneath the Lalbaug flyover to offer prayers. The idol then moved toward Byculla Station, with devotees packing Delisle Road and surrounding areas.
A highlight of communal unity occurred at Hindustan Masjid in Byculla, where the mosque committee paid respects, continuing a decades-long tradition. The Byculla Fire Brigade added to the tribute, with fire trucks sounding sirens in honor of the Raja. At Nagpada Junction, also known as Khada Parsi or S. Mohani Chowk, the atmosphere surged with energy as devotees’ chants grew louder.
The procession continued through Gol Deool and Do Taaki, areas steeped in festival history, before reaching Opera House Bridge near CP Tank and Prarthana Samaj. Here, the cultural fervor peaked, with packed streets and overflowing balconies. The journey will conclude early Sunday at Girgaon Chowpatty, where the idol will be immersed in the Arabian Sea amid cries of “Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya.”
A Symbol of Unity
Beyond its spiritual significance, the Lalbaugcha Raja visarjan reflects Mumbai’s cultural harmony. Social groups along the route distributed water and sherbet, while volunteers offered first aid. Mumbai Police deployed thousands of officers and enforced traffic diversions across South Mumbai to ensure a seamless event.