The Pujas were organised at twelve places in the city. (File Photo)
The 'Chhat festival' was celebrated across the city on Sunday even as political parties tried to scotch perception that they were trying to derive political mileage out of the festival ahead of the high-stake election to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
The festival is mainly celebrated by people from Bihar, whose number is significant in Mumbai and suburbs.
Politically, the number of north Indian votes can tilt scales in BMC polls to be held next year.
Denying any political angle to the festival, Mumbai BJP general secretary Amarjeet Mishra said the saffron party has been organising the festivities for the last two decades as a "social cause" without any connection with any elections.
Chhat is performed in order to thank the Sun god for sustaining life on earth. The festival is mainly celebrated in Bihar, eastern UP and Jharkhand.
There are more than 22 lakh north Indians living in the megalopolis.
The Pujas were organised at twelve places in the city, including Borivali, Mulund, Chembur, Colaba, with the biggest programmes held at Dadar and Juhu chowpatties (sea fronts).
Mumbai Regional Congress Committee (MRCC) president Sanjay Nirupam, who originally hails from Bihar, also organised Chhat pujas in city.
"This year, we have paid tribute to the martyrs at the borders. We also have paid a tribute to the soldier who committed suicide over the OROP issue. In our celebrations, we have made sure that no party flags are raised or there is no association whatsoever with Congress party. We expected the same from BJP, but that party raised its flags all over Juhu beach," Mr Nirupam told PTI.
The former MP had recently urged Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to ensure that no political speeches were made or any party flags hoisted at Chhat venues.
Interestingly, leaders of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and Shiv Sena, who had clashed with Nirupam in 2011 over attempts to politicise the festival, have argued that they were not against the festivities provided they were not politicised.