16-year-old Tragic Incident During Ganesh Idol Immersion at Mumbai’s Juhu Beach

Ganesh Idol Immersion in Mumbai

The vibrant and culturally significant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai reached its culmination with the immersion of thousands of Ganesh idols, marking the end of the ten-day celebration. However, amid the festivities, a tragic incident occurred during the idol immersion at Juhu Beach.

A Heartbreaking Incident

As the beats of drums and chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ filled the air, various Ganesh mandals in Mumbai commenced processions for the idol immersions. By 6 pm, a staggering total of 7,950 idols had been immersed. This count included 7,513 household idols, 329 public idols, and 108 idols of the goddess Gauri, as reported by a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official.

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However, amidst these celebrations, a heartbreaking incident unfolded at Juhu Beach. A 16-year-old boy named Hasan Yusuf Shaikh was found in distress in the sea during the immersion process. Swiftly, lifeguards came to his rescue, pulling him out of the water. Despite their efforts, the young boy could not be revived, and doctors at nearby Cooper Hospital declared him deceased upon arrival.

Safety Measures and Immersion Statistics

Thankfully, aside from this tragic incident, there were no reports of any other untoward events during the idol immersions across Mumbai. The BMC official reported that, in total, 2,199 of the 7,950 idols were immersed in artificial ponds set up by the civic body. These artificial ponds served as a safe and controlled environment for the immersion process.

The 2,199 idols immersed in these ponds included 2,096 household idols, 63 public idols, and 40 goddess Gauri idols.

A Grand Farewell to Lord Ganesh

The Ganesh Chaturthi festival, which commenced on September 19, culminated on ‘Anant Chaturdashi’ with the immersion of idols in the Arabian Sea and other water bodies in Mumbai. The event was marked by immense enthusiasm, as idols of Lord Ganesh in various forms and sizes were carried out of pandals for their final journey. These processions were accompanied by music, dance, and fervent prayers.

In the renowned Lalbaug area, famous for its grand Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, the procession of idols from Tejukaya and Ganesh Gully mandals commenced with traditional chants. The iconic Lalbaugcha Raja idol’s procession began at approximately 11:30 am, drawing thousands of devotees who eagerly awaited the final ‘darshan.’

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A City Unites in Farewell

In addition to Lalbaug, thousands of people congregated along major procession routes in Mumbai to offer heartfelt prayers and witness the colorful processions. The streets were alive with devotees as processions from various areas, including Fort, Girgaon, Mazgaon, Byculla, Dadar, Matunga, Sion, Chembur, and more, made their way to immersion points.

The tragic incident cast a sad note on the culmination of Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. The city united in its bid to bid farewell to Lord Ganesh. The festival celebrated with grandeur, music, and fervor. As the idols found their resting place in the waters, the city looked forward to another year of festivities and celebration.