Mumbai once again came alive with devotion, color and emotion as thousands of devotees gathered across the city to bid farewell to Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Visarjan 2026.
This year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began on September 14 and concluded with Anant Chaturdashi and the main immersion processions on September 25. The celebrations continued into the morning of September 26 as some of Mumbai’s largest and most famous idols completed their journeys to the sea.
From Lalbaug and Parel to Girgaon Chowpatty and neighborhoods across Mumbai, roads filled with devotees chanting “Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya” — a heartfelt request to Lord Ganesha to return again next year.
Mumbai Streets Turn Into a Sea of Devotion
Ganesh Visarjan is one of Mumbai’s most spectacular annual traditions. Families, neighborhood mandals and large public Ganpati organizations carry their idols through the streets in elaborate processions before immersion.
Drums, devotional music, dancing and clouds of colorful gulal accompany the idols on their final journey.
By 6 a.m. on September 26, authorities reported that 34,403 idols had already been immersed across Mumbai, including 6,235 public Ganesh idols, 27,615 household idols and 553 Gauri idols.
The scenes across the city reflected both celebration and emotion. Many devotees had spent days visiting pandals, attending aartis and welcoming Bappa into their homes, making the final farewell an especially meaningful moment.
Lalbaugcha Raja Completes Its Journey to Girgaon Chowpatty
Among Mumbai’s most closely watched processions was that of the iconic Lalbaugcha Raja.
Thousands of devotees lined the streets as the idol traveled through South Mumbai toward Girgaon Chowpatty. The procession began on Anant Chaturdashi and continued through the night before reaching Chowpatty on Saturday morning.
Lalbaugcha Raja was finally immersed in the Arabian Sea at 10:46 a.m. on September 26, shortly before a forecast high tide.
The event brought together devotees from across Mumbai and beyond, many of whom waited for hours just to catch one final glimpse of Bappa.
Creativity on Display Across Mumbai
One of the most striking features of Mumbai’s Ganeshotsav is the extraordinary creativity of its artists and mandals.
This year’s idols included traditional representations of Lord Ganesha as well as imaginative designs featuring elaborate thrones, mythological themes, musical instruments and towering artistic installations.
The photographs from the celebrations capture this diversity beautifully — from massive idols rising above the crowds to colorful processions surrounded by gulal, music and thousands of devotees holding up their phones to record the moment.
For many families in Maharashtra, these celebrations are more than a festival. Ganeshotsav is an important part of community life, bringing together neighbors, relatives and generations of devotees.
A Tradition That Connects Maharashtrians Around the World
The spirit of Ganeshotsav extends far beyond Mumbai.
Maharashtrian and Indian communities across the United States and around the world also celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with pujas, cultural programs, community dinners and smaller visarjan ceremonies.
For Indians living abroad, images of Mumbai’s grand processions provide an emotional connection to home and to traditions passed down through generations.
As another Ganeshotsav comes to an end, Mumbai’s familiar farewell once again echoes through the streets:
Ganpati Bappa Morya!
Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya!
May Lord Ganesha return next year bringing happiness, prosperity and good health to all.
Photos: Life in Mumbai Official
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