Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde Installs Shadu Clay Idol Crafted By Class 2 Student At Mayor’s Residence - VIDEO

Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde inaugurated an eco-friendly Ganesh idol at her residence during the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities. The modest Shadu clay idol of Lord Ganapati, symbolizing the remover of obstacles, was installed with the festive fervor. The Mayor’s residence was adorned with environmentally sustainable decorations and visuals of the eco-friendly idol were shared.

Crafted by a second-grade student, Ritik Paswan of Prabhadevi Municipal School run by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, the idol was gifted to the Mayor last week. The Mayor bestowed special recognition on the student's artistic talent and invited him along with his mother to partake in the Ganesh Puja celebrations.

Tawde greeted all with warm wishes for Shri Ganeshotsav, the state festival of Maharashtra, and expressed her heartfelt prayer that Lord Ganesha bestow happiness, prosperity, and good health upon everyone in Mumbai. The celebrations at the Mayor’s residence emphasized environmental sustainability, with decorations made from flowers and other eco-friendly materials.

The Mayor thoroughly inspected all the chowpatties, natural water bodies, and artificial ponds in the city prior to the immersion of eco-friendly Ganesh idols on the second day. She revealed that nearly 358 artificial immersion ponds had been prepared following the High Court's directive, stipulating that Ganesh idols of less than six feet should be immersed in such artificial ponds.

As the Ganesh festival commenced, Mumbai once again resonated with devotion, music, and celebrations. Millions of devotees welcomed Lord Ganesha into their homes, housing societies, and public pandals across the city.