City leaves past behind to bid Bappa adieu

NASHIK: Thousands of people danced to the beats of the traditional Nashik dhol and bid adieu to Lord Ganesha on Thursday.
Chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya' and gulaal filed the air for more than 14 hours from Thursday afternoon to the wee hours of Friday to mark the end of the 10-day festival.
The idol immersion procession started on Thursday afternoon from Wakdi Baraw and culminated at Godavari ghat in Panchavati, wherein 25 big Ganesh mandals gathered amid much fanfare.Hundreds of idols of other Ganesh mandals were also immersed at various locations across the city.
Moreover, the ghats were witness to a huge rush throughout Thursday as lakhs of household Ganesha idols were brought for immersion at these places.
"The celebrations were grand, especially after the low-key affair last year because of the Kumbh Mela rush and drought-like situation. Nashik regained its festive spirit and enjoyed the occasion in traditional manner," said Avinash Biradar, senior office-bearer of Manacha Raja at Ashok Stambh.
Nashikites came out late in the evening to watch the idols of prominent Ganesh mandals. By 11pm on Thursday, all the streets heading towards Ramkund and Godavari ghat were filled with enthusiastic devotees.
Nashik has a unique tradition as part of which most of the big Ganesh mandals own their permanent idol. They do not immerse these idols, but re-colour them every year before Ganeshotsav. While these idols are carried with the procession, they are preserved for the next year instead of immersion.
"This tradition itself has kept Godavari waters safe from pollution. Every year, one or two mandals add their permanent idols which is encouraging for the city," said Ankit Diwan, a member of Ganesh Utsav Mandal, Model Colony square.