Scan BMC’s QR code and locate your nearest Ganpati immersion location in Mumbai

MUMBAI: BMC on Sunday announced its preparedness for the visarjan ceremony of 10-day Ganesha idols at Tuesday's festival of Anant Chaturdashi. Anticipating large crowds to turn out for the ritual, 204 immersion sites have been readied, including 69 natural locations. Most large idols are led to the sea off Girgaum Chowpatty.

Details for each visarjan site are available via QR codes which have been displayed near civic ward offices, shared via the BMC social media handles or placed near municipal schools. By scanning the QR code, devotees will get information about artificial ponds in Mumbai along with Google Map links. Information about artificial ponds can also be obtained from the link.

Additionally, 12,000 civic staff will be deployed across the city. To prevent vehicles bringing idols from getting stuck in the sand at Chowpatty, 478 steel plates have been placed along the shoreline. Meanwhile, 43 rafts have been set up at various locations to assist with the immersion of smaller idols. For safety, 761 lifeguards and 48 motorboats will be stationed at beaches. Ahead of the immersions, 163 collection pots and 274 vehicles have been arranged to gather flowers and garlands offered by devotees.

For the convenience of citizens who accompany the idols for immersion, 127 mobile toilets have been arranged. Additionally, to handle emergencies, the fire brigade has been deployed with well equipped vehicles and trained personnel near natural immersion sites.

BMC has also issued a list of precautions for citizens during idol immersions. Key guidelines include: avoid going into deep waters, seek help from BMC-appointed trained personnel and avoid no-swim zones. In case of an emergency, such as someone drowning, people are urged to notify the firefighters, police or lifeguards. Additionally, special attention should be given to children, ensuring they do not enter the water, and precautions should be taken to avoid fish stings. First aid should be sought promptly in case of any incidents, said the advisory. "From Aug to Oct, species like the blue button jellyfish and stingray are more commonly spotted along Mumbai's coastline. BMC urges citizens to be cautious and avoid fish stings. Medical units have been stationed at Chowpatty, and ‘108' ambulances have been deployed for emergencies," the civic body stated.

On the cultural landscape, public Ganpati pandals are preparing to close darshan during the intervening night of Sept 16-17.

Swapnil Parab, secretary of the Ganesh Gully mandal in Lalbaug said: "It has been a successful season. We have received large crowds, especially during the last four days, and today there is an unending stream of devotees. People are coming from far and wide to see our unique Baal roop Ganesh, and our grand Mahakaal temple decor. We will close darshan at 3am Tuesday."

Ganesh Gully's idol known as Mumbaicha Raja is always the first to head for immersion from Lalbaug at 8am on the final immersion day. Parab said they plan to reach Girgaum Chowpatty around 6.30pm.

The pushpavrushti mandals of Lalbaug are ready with mechanised contraptions to shower flowers upon passing idols. Shroff building has carved a 45-ft rotating Kurma avatar (tortoise) tableau to scatter petals upon approximately 150 idols. Atmaram Parab, treasurer of neighbouring Sadanand Building's pushpavrushti mandal, said, "We are crafting the Jagannath model from Puri, Odisha, to dispense flowers. Our 5ft-tall model of Balaram, Subhadra and Shri Krishna is in the final stages of completion. Satyavan Pandit is the artisan. Volunteers will fill 200kg marigold petals and 100 kg saffron coloured gulal into the contraption to sprinkle upon the idols."

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