Ganpati

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Today was the last day of the Ganpati festival. Ten days ago temporary "temples" were constructed on nearly every street corner all over the city and Ganesh idols — both large and small — were placed inside. Since then, people have been visiting these different Ganesh "temples". The destiny of every Ganpati idol is to be immersed in the sea on the last day of the festival — today.

It has felt like a city-wide carnival over the last week and a half. Elaborate entrances to the "temples" are strung with flashing lights and colorful fabrics. Lines of people stand outside each one waiting to get in while others sell noisemakers, candy, and anything else one can make a rupee on. Today was the grand finale when the idols were placed on trucks and taken to the sea for immersion. The streets were lined with millions of people waiting to get a glimpse of the idols as they went by. All day long there has been one procession after another of people yelling, dancing, throwing colored dust, setting off firecrackers, and pounding drums.