Overview

• Mumbai reported thousands of fifth-day immersions with figures ranging from 4,260 by 6 pm and 17,106 by 9 pm (BMC updates) to 40,225 citywide by night per local reports, with police noting no untoward incidents.
• The BMC set up 288 artificial ponds, and the MPCB allowed smaller eco-friendly clay idols in natural water bodies where ponds are lacking, a move now challenged for allegedly conflicting with the Bombay High Court’s order requiring sub‑six‑foot idols to use artificial ponds; PoP idols under six feet must still go to artificial ponds.
• Mumbai’s high-profile GSB Seva Mandal idol moved overnight toward immersion at Girgaon Chowpatty as devotees lined the route; organisers highlighted extensive insurance cover and ritual planning.
• Hyderabad prepared for the Khairatabad 69‑foot idol’s procession with nearly 30,000 personnel, drones, CCTV and command centres after daily footfalls of 60,000–70,000 at the pandal.
• Pune-led cultural outreach saw replicas of prominent Ganpati idols enable visarjan ceremonies in Srinagar and Kulgam with intercommunity participation, while VIP and celebrity visits to marquee Mumbai pandals added to surging crowds.