Ganeshotsav 2026: ‘Let small Ganpati idols be immersed in sea,’ say murtikars, mandals in Girgaon and Lalbaug

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporationrsquos decision to make the immersion of Ganesh idols below six feet mandatory in artificial ponds has disappointed several murtikars and Ganesh mandal organisers in Girgaon and Lalbaug who want smaller idols to be allowed to be immersed in the sea at designated locationsWith Ganesh Chaturthi set to begin on September 14 these traditional festival hubs are demanding a practical balance between environmental safeguards and the longstanding tradition of sea immersionMurtikars said the restriction is particularly difficult for families and smaller mandals that have been taking their idols to the sea for generationsldquoMost of the idols made for homes and smaller mandals are well below six feet and made from shadu clay These are not massive idols that require heavy machinery or elaborate arrangements If pollution is the concern then the administration should regulate the materials that are used for making the idols and colours instead of stopping devotees from immersing small idols in the sea altogetherrdquo said 73yearold Pradeep Maduskar a murtikar from GirgaonMaduskar said devotees associate the sea with the traditional farewell to Lord GaneshaldquoFor generations people in Girgaon have taken their Ganpati idols to the sea for visarjan Suddenly asking everyone to go to an artificial pond changes the entire experience We understand the environmental concerns but there should be a way to allow small ecofriendly idols to be immersed at designated points in the seardquo he saidMurtikars also raised concerns about the practical difficulties of taking idols to artificial ponds particularly during peak immersion daysldquoArtificial ponds are a good option but they cannot be the only option On the main immersion days there will be thousands of devotees carrying idols There will be queues traffic and limited space If small idols are allowed at selected seaimmersion points the pressure on artificial ponds will also come downrdquo said a Lalbaugbased murtikar who did not wish to be namedlsquoDonrsquot treat a twofoot idol like a giant public idolrsquoGanesh mandal organisers said a blanket restriction on sea immersion for idols below six feet does not take into account the difference between large public idols and small household or community idolsldquoA two or threefoot Ganpati idol is very different from a 15 or 20foot idol The environmental impact logistics and number of people involved in immersions are completely different in both the cases There should be a policy that takes public opinion into consideration The authorities should also create more awareness about these issues well in advance rather than issuing a small notice at the last minute There should be a policy for smaller idols instead of putting all of them under the same restrictionrdquo said 42yearold Adhvait Pedhamkar joint secretary of the Lalbaug Sarvajanik Utsav MandalPedhamkar said the civic authorities could introduce a controlled system instead of a complete prohibitionldquoWe are not asking for unrestricted immersion anywhere and everywhere The BMC can identify specific stretches of the beach assign timings and deploy staff to supervise the process If an idol is made of shadu and ecofriendly colours are used why canrsquot devotees be given the option of immersing it in the seardquo he questionedThirtynineyearold Abhishek Tondankar treasurer of the 5th Kumbharwada Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Girgaon said the sea has emotional and cultural significance for Mumbairsquos GaneshotsavldquoVisarjan is not just the final ritual of the festival it is an emotional moment for devotees Taking the idol to the sea singing the traditional chants and bidding Bappa farewell is part of Mumbairsquos Ganeshotsav culture Artificial ponds can certainly be provided but devotees should also have a choice for small idolsrdquo said TondankarlsquoSmall idols can be regulated not banned from sea immersionsrsquoOrganisers suggested that the administration could impose stricter conditions on sea immersion rather than disallowing it altogetherldquoIf the government is worried about water pollution there are several ways to address it Mandals can be required to use shadu clay natural colours and other ecofriendly materials The immersion can happen only at designated locations and under supervision This would protect the environment while also respecting traditionrdquo said TondankarHe said such an arrangement could also encourage more people to switch to ecofriendly idolsldquoGive people an incentive to choose ecofriendly idols Tell them that if their idol meets certain environmental standards they can use a designated seaimmersion point That would encourage both tradition and environmental responsibilityrdquo Tondankar saidThe BMC has made arrangements at artificial ponds across Mumbai and said the immersion of idols below six feet will have to take place there in accordance with the court directions currently applicable during the festival periodldquoAs per the directions currently in force Ganesh idols below six feet are required to be immersed in artificial immersion ponds The BMC has made arrangements at designated locations across Mumbai to facilitate the immersion process and ensure that devotees do not face inconvenience The arrangements have been planned keeping in mind both environmental concerns and the large number of devotees expected during the festivalrdquo a BMC official who did not wish to be named saidThe official added that devotees and Ganesh mandals have been urged to cooperate with the civic authorities and use the designated immersion facilities during the festivalHowever for murtikars and mandals in Girgaon and Lalbaug the demand remains focused on giving devotees an additional optionldquoWe are not against artificial ponds They should be available and properly managed But there is no reason why a small ecofriendly Ganpati idol cannot be allowed to be immersed in the sea in a controlled manner The administration should look at a solution that works for devotees rather than simply imposing a blanket restrictionrdquo said Tondankar