Ganesh Utsav begins today, mega preparations in Mumbai

Mumbai: The ten-day-long Ganesh Utsav begins today and Mumbai has decked up to welcome its favourite Lord Ganesha.

This year, Mumbai will have about 6,300 sarvajanik Ganesh pandals, more than 1.2 lakh home Ganesh idols and about 9,000 Gauri idols.While Mumbaikars are busy finishing their decorations and some last minute shopping, the Mumbai Police is on their toes to ensure that the city remains safe and peaceful during these ten days.The Mumbai Police will use drone cameras at five of the most crowded immersion points of the city.

Traffic restrictions will also be in place to avoid inconvenience to devotees flocking the city for darshan and also to ensure that visarjan routes remain clear.While Mumbai`s most popular `Lalbaugcha Raja` has got himself a throne in the shape of a huge owl, `Mumbaicha Raja` sits inside the replica of Badrinath temple while a replica of Kunkeshwar temple will be the humble abode of `Andherica Raja` for the next ten days. 

President Pranab Mukherjee and Vice-President Hamid Ansari have greeted the people on the auspicious occasion.

.In his message, President Mukherjee hoped that Lord Ganesha remove all obstacles on the path of progress and prosperity of the nation. He asked the people to dedicate the day for building a strong and vibrant nation.

Vice President Ansari said that Lord Ganesh is revered as an embodiment of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune in the country.He added invoking Lord Ganesh, before start of any good work and project, is a common practice. He hoped that this festival will bring peace, harmony and prosperity in the country.

With ANI inputs