Team Herald

PANJIM: Ganesh Chaturthi commenced on Wednesday with devotees welcoming Lord Ganesh into their homes, even as the rains did not dampen their festive spirit.

The devotees installed idols of the elephant-headed God in their households with pomp, religious fervour and chanting of “Ganapati Bappa Morya”. The idols will be worshipped for one and half days, three days or five days based on traditions followed by individual families, while the celebrations organised by Sarvajanik Ganeshotav Mandals will continue for 11 days.

Some devotees had bought the traditional clay idols on Tuesday evening. People were seen making brisk purchases in the fruit and vegetable markets across the State, of items required for ‘matoli’. The rising prices of sweets did not deter people from buying them, either.

After two years of subdued festivities due to the Covid-19 pandemic, a large number of people travelled to their native places this year, as the railways operated additional trains and the State-owned KTC also plied extra buses to cater to the huge rush of revellers.

The Goa police have issued an advisory to people leaving for their native places, to inform the nearest police station and avoid leaving their valuables in their locked houses.

They have also advised revellers to take precautions during the immersion of Ganesha idols.