Idol Immersion Faces Unexpected Delay

The immersion of Lalbaugcha Raja, Mumbai’s most famous Ganesh idol, faced an unprecedented delay this year. The journey began on Saturday afternoon and, after several challenges, finally ended late on Sunday night.

Traditionally, the procession reaches Girgaon Chowpatty by early Sunday morning. However, this year the idol arrived at the beach between 5 am and 7 am, but the immersion did not proceed as planned due to worsening sea conditions.

High Tide Blocks Early Attempts

At first, volunteers expected a smooth immersion, but the sea turned rough earlier than predicted. Consequently, a high tide of 4.42 metres struck around 11.40 am, making it impossible to position the idol on the immersion raft.

Repeatedly, Lalbaugcha Raja Mandal volunteers tried to move the idol, yet strong currents lifted and destabilised the platform, forcing them to stop each time for safety reasons.

Joint Efforts to Stabilise the Idol

As the day progressed, volunteers, civic officials, and local fishermen joined forces to find a solution. Throughout the morning and afternoon, they tried multiple strategies to stabilise the idol.

Meanwhile, the crowd cheered loudly whenever progress seemed possible. However, each attempt was eventually abandoned due to dangerous conditions, causing frustration and concern.

Idol Finally Shifted to Raft

Eventually, at 4.45 pm, their combined efforts paid off. The teams successfully moved the idol onto a specially designed motorised raft, ensuring a safe and secure transfer.

Afterward, organisers announced that the immersion would take place at night, around 11 pm, when the tide would be calmer and safer for the final journey.

Record-Breaking Duration of Visarjan

As a result, this year’s visarjan lasted nearly 35 hours, making it one of the longest in Mumbai’s history.

Although the Lalbaugcha Raja procession is traditionally elaborate, senior devotees could not recall such a prolonged delay in decades.

Devotees Remain Patient and Faithful

Despite the long wait, devotees stayed by the beach throughout the day. They sang devotional songs, chanted prayers, and showered flowers on the idol.

Thus, their unwavering faith and patience once again highlighted Mumbai’s deep spiritual bond with Lalbaugcha Raja.