The last day of the annual Hindu festival of Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated in spectacular fashion across India today.
Thousands of followers marked the end of the 11-day birthday celebrations of the revered Hindu god Lord Ganesh with huge colourful parades with devotees lining the streets to sing and dance.
Vast processions took place in the city of Mumbai which culminated in the immersion of massive idols of the elephant-headed god in the Arabian sea.
The festival marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh and the final immersion is seen as a ritual send-off for his journey back to his home on the sacred mountain of Kailash.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said 6,000 volunteers and 500 lifeguards had been called up to help ensure the event passed without any incident.
The country's navy was also been asked to help out in case of emergencies with thousands of people entering the water.
High-tide warnings were issued earlier in the day and devotees were asked not to wade too far out to sea during the celebrations.
'People should hand over the idols to volunteers and civic staff, who will immerse them in the sea with the help of floating platforms,' said Dr Kishor Kshirsagar, deputy municipal commissioner.
More than 50,000 idols are expected to be immersed on the final day of the festival, with events set to continue into the early morning as devotees take statues of Lord Ganesga into the ocean and lakes across India.
The vibrant annual celebrations are a sensational spectacle but environmentalists have also warned that the continued immersion of the non-biodegradable idols is polluting India's waters and endangering aquatic life.
In 1893, freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak began installing large images of Lord Ganesh in public in an attempt to counter the British ruling which prevented organised gatherings.
Since that date the festival has grown from strength to strength and is now celebrated across western India and many parts of the world.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1314347/Hindu-festival-Ganesh-Chaturthi-ends-immersion-50-000-idols.html#ixzz1WPnyrfYu
Thousands of followers marked the end of the 11-day birthday celebrations of the revered Hindu god Lord Ganesh with huge colourful parades with devotees lining the streets to sing and dance.
Vast processions took place in the city of Mumbai which culminated in the immersion of massive idols of the elephant-headed god in the Arabian sea.
Last day: Thousands of people took part in the celebrations in Mumbai today as devotees marked the end of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival
Impressive: Massive idols of the elephant-headed Hindu god were made months in advance and carried through the streets
Making a splash: The annual festival culminated in the immersion of the idols of Lord Ganesh. Officials claim over 50,000 statues will be immersed in the next 24 hours
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said 6,000 volunteers and 500 lifeguards had been called up to help ensure the event passed without any incident.
The country's navy was also been asked to help out in case of emergencies with thousands of people entering the water.
High-tide warnings were issued earlier in the day and devotees were asked not to wade too far out to sea during the celebrations.
Packed beaches: Authorities have warned people not to wade too far out to sea when immersing their Ganesh idols
History: The exact origins of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival are unknown but it is believed to have been celebrated for centuries
Pollution: Environmentalists have warned the festival is harming India's waterways and endangering aquatic life
More than 50,000 idols are expected to be immersed on the final day of the festival, with events set to continue into the early morning as devotees take statues of Lord Ganesga into the ocean and lakes across India.
The vibrant annual celebrations are a sensational spectacle but environmentalists have also warned that the continued immersion of the non-biodegradable idols is polluting India's waters and endangering aquatic life.
Party: The celebrations are expected to continue into the small hours of the morning as thousands celebrate the final day of the festival
The exact origins of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival are unknown but it is believed it has been celebrated in homes across India for centuries.
In 1893, freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak began installing large images of Lord Ganesh in public in an attempt to counter the British ruling which prevented organised gatherings.
Since that date the festival has grown from strength to strength and is now celebrated across western India and many parts of the world.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1314347/Hindu-festival-Ganesh-Chaturthi-ends-immersion-50-000-idols.html#ixzz1WPnyrfYu
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