MUMBAI, INDIA, September 17, 2005: People in Maharashtra bid adieu to their favorite elephant-headed God, Ganesha, amidst chanting of holy hymns and prayers on Saturday. Tight security was put in place in Mumbai for the idol immersion marking the culmination of the 10-day long festivities. The festival marks the birth anniversary of Ganesh, signifying good omen and prosperity. At least 20,000 Ganesha icons were immersed in Mumbai city itself with the height of icons varying from five to over 20 feet. People thronged several beaches, despite an alert on high tides, to immerse the icons in a farewell ritual. “This is an auspicious time so we have to carry out the immersion at the assigned time,” said Sandeep Sapre, a devotee. In Mumbai, the recent devastation by the floods that killed over 1,000 people failed to deter the festive spirit.
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