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.