Mumbai, Aug 23 - Lord Ganesh was visible in full splendour, in different 'avatars', moods, and images - ranging from eco-friendly to sheer opulence - at the homes of commoners and celebrities at the start of the 10-day festival here Sunday.

While an association in Borivli showcased the elephant-headed god as Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharashtra's legendary warrior king, the city's most expensive Ganapati shone at the Gaud Saraswat Brahman (GSB) associaton in central Mumbai's King's Circle area.

The GSB Ganapati, among the handful of Lord Ganeshas of Mumbai which are reputed to 'fulfil wishes', is adorned with 25 kg gold and 250 kg silver and is worth an estimated Rs.10 crore.

Millions of Mumbaikars were on the city roads since early Sunday visiting various Ganesh pandals and seeking the blessings of their beloved god from Dahisar in the west and Mulund in the east, and from Vile Parle in the north to Colaba in the south of this megapolis.

Since early Sunday, huge crowds of faithful cutting across religious lines, thronged the Lalbaugcha Raja in Parel-Lalbaug, and Andhericha Raja at Andheri, both considered 'wish-fulfilling' Ganesh idols.

A festive atmosphere also prevailed in Thane, Raigad, Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and Pune as people celebrated the festival with joy and enthusiasm, despite the spectre of swine flu in the air.

Leading the day was Chief Minister Ashok Chavan who has installed a large idol of Lord Ganesh at his official residence Varsha in Malabar Hill, south Mumbai.