Parel area in central Mumbai witnessed a sea of devotees who gathered to welcome the Lord Ganesh idol

Meanwhile, The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been gearing up for the upcoming Ganpati festival in Mumbai and has planned plans to list artificial ponds on Google maps this year for Ganeshotsav 2024

This year, the BMC has decided to list the artificial ponds on Google Maps to make it easier for residents to find these facilities near their homes

"The initiative by the BMC will help ensure that more people can participate in environmentally friendly immersion practices," an official had earlier said

The BMC had recently said that it has undertaken several initiatives to promote eco-friendly celebrations including providing clay for making Lord Ganesh idols, setting up artificial ponds for immersion, and organising the Ganesh Gaurav Competition to encourage sustainable practices

The Ganesh Utsav 2024 will start on September 7, 2024

Ganeshotsav is steeped in mythology, culture, and spirituality, and symbolises the arrival of the deity into the lives of devotees

The festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm and fervor, and includes many rituals

"The BMC is in the final stages of preparation, which includes coordinating with online platforms for the delivery of eco-friendly Ganesh idols. The BMC aims to increase the number of artificial ponds to over 200 this year," an official statement said

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government has introduced a "single-window" scheme and the Ganesh mandals that have adhered to regulations for the past ten years can now receive a permit for five consecutive years. The mandals must provide a self-declaration that they have complied with all rules and have no complaints against them