Ganesh Chaturthi fervor starts in Mumbai

Mumbai : It was a time for double celebration for Indians with Ganesh Chaturthi falling on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting by the followers of Islam.

The ten-day Vinayak or Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated as the birthday of Lord Ganesha, Hindu God of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune.

Although celebrated in across India, the festival is most popular in Maharashtra where over 10,000 idols are worshipped in Mumbai alone.

In Mumbai, one can see the largest idols in the country; height of some Ganesh idols even soars up to sixty feet.

On Saturday, the city echoed with chants of ‘Ganpati bappa moraya? with idols arriving at residences and pandals.

Mumbai?s famous Siddhi Vinayak temple was wrapped with flowers, decorative lights and security.

The most popular Ganesh idol is worshipped at Lalbaugcha Raja near Lower Parel where the theme is king?s durbar (court).

Another popular Ganesh puja takes place at Ganesh Galli, near Lower Parel. This year, the marquee has been constructed to resemble Mysore’s Chamundeshwari Temple.

The Ganesh idol at Khetwadicha Raja Grant Road East station is studded with gold and diamond work, with tusks of pure gold. This year?s theme is heaven.

The 20-feet Ganesh idol at GSB Seva near King?s Circle is adorned in 61 kilograms of pure gold, 350 kilograms of silver. It will only remain for the first five days of the festival though.

One of the tallest idols in the city is worshipped at Chandanwadi atKalbadevi. The 23-feet Ganesha is accompanied by an eagle.

Meanwhile, over 43,000 police personnel have been deployed across the city amid a high security alert after reports that terrorists have sneaked in and might foment trouble.