PICTURES: Mumbaikars Bid Colourful Farewell To Ganpati Bappa

The immersion processions of idols of various mandals in Mumbai, which witnesses maximum festive grandeur, and Pune, the state's cultural capital which hosts one of the best Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, were taken out amid great zeal and enthusiasm on the occasion of 'Anant Chaturdashi'. /AFP IMAGE

Besides, 18 roads have been closed for heavy vehicles while parking is not allowed at 99 places, he said.The Brihanmumbai Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Samiti, coordinating committee of all Ganesh mandals in the city, has promised to cooperate with the civic body's guidelines.In Pune, devotees led the immersion processions of the city's five most prominent mandals - Kasba Ganpati, Tambadi Jogeswari mandal, Gurji Talim mandal, Tulshi Baug mandal and Kesariwada mandal - amid chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' and beats of the traditional dhol-tasha. /AFP IMAGE

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra, who along with his celebrates the festival every year at his official residence in Mumbai, also performed puja before proceeding for the immersion of their eco-friendly Ganesh idol. /AFP IMAGE

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has urged all the Ganesh mandals to refrain from revelry or indulging in large gatherings on old and narrow roads and bridges."In view of incidents of bridge collapse in the city during last few years, we have decided to close the weak bridges. At least 53 roads have been closed for traffic in Mumbai while one-way vehicular movement is being allowed on 56 roads for today," a senior police official said. /AFP IMAGE

Processions will also be continuously monitored by over 5,000 CCTV cameras, he said. For better crowd management, the police have closed some of the old and dilapidated bridges and roads for traffic."As we gear up to bid our favourite Lord Ganesha adieu, we urge you all to ensure a safe, secure and peaceful #GaneshVisarjan," the Mumbai police tweeted. /AFP IMAGE

More than 50,000 police personnel have been deployed across the metropolis to ensure that Ganesh idol immersion processions pass off without any untoward incident, an official earlier said. /AFP IMAGE

Around 587 Ganesh idols were immersed till noon at these places, a civic official said. The immersion processions of the prominent Ganpati mandals, including the Lalbaugcha Raja, Khetwadicha Ganraj and Ganesh Galli at Girgaum, will start later in the day, he said. /AFP IMAGE

In Mumbai, the immersion of idols was being done at 129 places, including Girgaum Chowpatty, Shivaji Park, Juhu, Aksa, Versova and Marve beaches of the Arabian Sea, and several lakes and artificial ponds set up for the purpose. /AFP IMAGE

Devotees performed one last puja and chanted "Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudachya Varshi Lavkar Ya" (Hail Lord Ganesh, come back fast next year), before carrying the idols of the elephant-headed God on flower-decked vehicles accompanied by troupes of drummers. /AFP IMAGE

Mumbai: Devotees bid a grand farewell to their beloved Lord Ganesh as the immersion of idols began across Maharashtra on Thursday, marking the end of the 10-day-long mega festival. /AFP IMAGE