Mumbai witnessed a spectacular outpouring of devotion on Saturday morning as the grand visarjan procession of Lalbaugcha Raja, the city’s most revered Ganpati, began with pomp and fervor. The farewell rituals commenced after the final aarti at the iconic Lalbaug pandal, where thousands of devotees had gathered overnight to offer their prayers and bid farewell to their beloved Bappa.

The atmosphere was electrifying as chants of “Ganpati Bappa Morya” echoed through the streets. The towering idol, magnificently adorned with floral garlands and currency notes, embarked on its journey through South Mumbai before its immersion at Girgaon Chowpatty. Despite crowd-control arrangements by the mandal, thousands thronged the lanes for a last glimpse of the Raja.

The procession highlighted Mumbai’s cultural unity and communal harmony. At Byculla’s Hindustan Masjid, mosque committee members continued their decades-old tradition of offering respects. The Byculla Fire Brigade paid a unique tribute with sirens from their fire trucks, while at Nagpada Junction, the energy peaked as devotees chanted louder in unison.

As the procession moved through historic routes such as Gol Deool and Do Taaki, the festive spirit intensified. By the time it reached Opera House Bridge and CP Tank near Prarthana Samaj, balconies were overflowing and streets were jam-packed with cheering devotees. The grand journey will culminate at Girgaon Chowpatty, where in the early hours of Sunday, the idol will be immersed in the Arabian Sea with heartfelt chants of “Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya.”

Beyond its religious grandeur, the Lalbaugcha Raja visarjan underscored Mumbai’s resilience and unity. Volunteers set up stalls distributing water, sherbet, and first aid, while Mumbai Police ensured security with massive deployments and traffic diversions across South Mumbai to facilitate a smooth procession.