The immersion of Mumbai's iconic Lalbaugcha Raja Ganesh idol faced significant delays due to high tide and technical hurdles, finally being transferred to a raft at 4:45 PM on Sunday, with the final visarjan into the Arabian Sea off Girgaon Chowpatty expected around 11 PM.

Typically completed before 9 AM, the process was postponed over eight hours after the idol arrived at the beach, more than 28 hours since its grand procession started from Lalbaug on Saturday afternoon. This year's challenges highlight the unpredictable nature of monsoon tides during Ganesh Chaturthi, a 10-day festival celebrating Lord Ganesha's departure.

Efforts to immerse the idol began in the morning but failed amid a 4.42-metre high tide that surged earlier than anticipated, causing the platform to float unstably and complicating alignment with the raft. For about three hours, the idol stood in waist-deep water, balanced by 15-20 volunteers and fishermen, as officials opted for caution to ensure safety.

Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal honorary secretary Sudhir Salavi explained that the procession arrived slightly late, exacerbating the tide issues. "We stopped initial attempts when it wasn't working and followed fishermen's advice to wait for the next high tide around 11 PM," he told reporters. The successful raft transfer, aided by hundreds of volunteers, sparked cheers and chants like "Ganpati Bappa Morya" from thousands of onlookers.

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As Mumbai's most revered pandal, Lalbaugcha Raja draws millions annually, with its immersion an emotional spectacle for devotees who line packed streets from midnight. The event underscores the festival's cultural significance, blending faith, community, and tradition amid the logistical demands of urban celebrations.

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