Mumbai and other parts of Maharashtra today welcomed Lord Ganesh amid pomp and gaiety as the elephant-headed God arrived in his devotees' homes and sarvajanik pandals (marquees) marking the commencement of the 10-day annual festival.
 
Idols of all shapes and sizes of Lord Ganesh, considered the destroyer of the evil, were installed after traditional pooja.
 
The cries of "Ganpati Bappa Morya" reverberated as the idols were worshipped with singing of `artis' like "Sukhaharta Dukhharta..." amid bursting of crackers and beating of drums.
 
A thick security blanket has been thrown in the metropolis following reports that two suspected foreign terrorists have sneaked into the city to cause disruption at crowded places and religious congregations.
 
Devotees feasted on the Lord's favourite delicacies like `karanji' and modak after the `arti'.
 
Apart from politicians, Bollywood stars also celebrate the popular festival by worshipping the Lord at their homes. The Ganesh idol at RK Studios in suburban Chembur is the oldest. Stars like Salman Khan, Jeetendra, Nana Patekar celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.
 
Mumbai wore a festive look with Muslims also celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr today after completion of the 30-day fast during the holy month of Ramzan. Namaz was offered at mosques with Muslim brethren greeting each other with sweets.
 
An estimated several millions Mumbaikars have installaed decorated idols of Lord Ganesh at public venues, housing complexes and homes.
 
Though Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the birth of popular Hindu God, is celebrated all over India, its festivities are most elaborate in Maharashtra and parts of Western India.
 
The festival will end on Anant Chaturdashi (September 22) when Ganesh idols will be immersed with fanfare in water bodies. A large numbers of devotees were seen making a beeline at mandal venues and temples across the city.
 
"This year an altogether 12,089 Ganesh mandals (associations) had been registered with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), up from 10,089 last year," said Naresh Dahibhavkar, president of Ganeshotsav Samanvay Samiti, the umbrella organisation of Ganesh mandals in the metropolis.
 
BMC, police and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), railways, navy and NGOs have joined hands to ensure a smooth and trouble-free festival.
 
The civic body has made arrangements like road diversions, watchtowers and sanitation. Railway is running additional trains to ensure swift movement of devotees.
 
Special arrangements have been made for devotees at the city's most revered Ganesh idol, `Lalbaugcha Raja' (King of Lalbaug), which attracts lakhs of people.