The Indian Express 20.09.2013
Ganeshotsav was bigger this year: BMC
This year, Ganeshotsav was celebrated on a larger scale than the
previous year, with more immersions, larger donations and bigger crowds.
Data released by BMC shows there were 2.07 lakh idol immersions this
season, compared to 1.99 lakh in 2012.
This year’s festivities were also more eco-friendly, as
immersions at artificial lakes showed a rise. While last year saw 16,276
artificial lake immersions, this year there were 19,881 immersions.
Resident associations in the western suburbs such as Khar, Oshiwara and
Vile Parle, among others, contributed to the increase by organising such
eco-friendly immersions.
Major mandals reported larger turnouts this year, with the
popular Lalbaugcha Raja mandal reporting a turnout of 1.5 crore
devotees. Lalbaugcha Raja Trust member Sudhir Salvi said, “Compared to
last year, we received at least 40 lakh more devotees.” Salvi added that
there were no cases of sting ray bites reported on Wednesday.
Ganesh Galli’s Mumbaicha Raja reported larger crowds this year on
the concluding day visarjan. “Nearly 15,000 people took part in
visarjan this year compared to 9,000 last year. Our collections from
donations and advertisements have also gone up this year,” said Swapnil
Parab, secretary of Mumbaicha Raja. Ganesh mandals are in the process of
valuing this year’s proceeds, which will be announced in a few days.
The numbers are set to rise further as Andheri’s largest mandal,
Andhericha Raja, is yet to set out on its visarjan. While most of the
Ganesh mandals in the city have completed their celebrations, Andhericha
Raja will take to the streets on September 22. “We have received nearly
seven lakh devotees so far and expect to see more than 12 lakhs over
this weekend leading to the visarjan,” said Andhericha Raja spokesperson
Uday Salian.