24-year example of brotherhood, flowers poured over Ganesh statues in front of mosque

City News Mumbai/Ghani Khan
Bhiwandi once again set an example of communal harmony and brotherhood. Maintaining the tradition that has been going on for 24 years in the city, the trustees of Hindustani Mosque and people of Muslim community welcomed the 14 Ganesh Mandals participating in the Ganesh immersion procession by showering flowers. As soon as they reached in front of the mosque, Ganesh Mandals also respected this tradition by banning DJ, band-baja and gulal.

Just before the evening prayers, the procession of Ganesh Mandals reached in front of the Hindustani Mosque. During this, people of Muslim community held roses in their hands and showered flowers on the idols of Ganesh amid chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya'. A large number of citizens gathered on both sides of the road to witness this meeting of people from both the communities.
On this occasion, Thane Police Commissioner Ashutosh Dumbre, Joint Police Commissioner Dr. Dnyaneshwar Chavan, Additional Police Commissioner Ashok Dudhe, DCP Dr. Pawan Bansod, Hindustani Masjid Trustee Mushtaq Momin, Ganesh Mahamandal President Madan Bhoi and members of the Peace Committee were present. Officials of Ganesh Mandals were welcomed with shawls and roses.

Ganesh devotees were seen dancing to the tune of drums and banjo in the immersion procession. The whole area echoed with the slogan 'Pudhchya Varshi Lakar Ya'.

More than 8 thousand Ganesh idols, including public and domestic, were immersed in Bhiwandi city and surrounding areas. The process of immersion continued from late night till around 4:40 in the morning from Vanjarpatti Naka to Lokmanya Tilak Ghat, Shelar Ghat, Dhamankar Naka to Varala Devi Ghat, Kamatghar Ghat, Bhadwad Ghat, Narpoli Pond, Kongaon and Kasheli Bay.

Ganesh idols were decorated in trucks, tempos, cars and chariots and taken for immersion. A large number of devotees participated in the procession.

Mayor Narayan Chaudhary, MLA Mahesh Chougule and other public representatives performed aarti of Ganesh idols at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. During this, the presidents of Ganesh Mandals were welcomed with bouquets and shawls. There was a huge crowd of devotees in the Chowk and surrounding areas.

Rural and city police had made elaborate arrangements for security arrangements. The procession route and immersion sites were monitored with drones and CCTV cameras. According to the organisers, around 2 lakh citizens were present during the entire procession.
For the convenience of the devotees participating in the immersion procession, about one lakh water pouches were distributed by the charity organization. The workers of the organization provided water to the devotees and people participating in the procession till late night.
Meanwhile, a clash broke out between two groups at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk. A youth named Rishikesh alias Raj Wagal was injured in the incident. He has been admitted to a private hospital for treatment. Police have registered a case in the matter and started investigation.