Thousands of Ganesh idols were immersed in different water bodies across the city, the annual festivity passed off peacefully this year, with no untoward incident being reported on Wednesday. Not withstanding a delayed start in the morning, they paraded at a relaxed pace through the city lanes. However, as the sun began to set and the clock ticked 5 p.m. there was a heavy downpour, drenching the revellers. It was then that the processions gathered pace, organisers hastening to reach their respective immersion points. Right from the early hours, final day of the festival, a security blanket was thrown all over the city with a huge posse of police personnel and paramilitary forces ensuring its peaceful conduct. A sea of devotees swarmed the procession route as colourful idols from different pandals throughout the city made their way to the immersion points. An estimated 12 lakh people took part in the celebrations this year. The main procession was expected to start around 10.30 a.m. but the Ganesh pandal organisers began efforts to load the idols onto lorries only around noon, and as a result the centralised procession began only around 2 p.m. The idol from Balapur, which had always led the centralised procession crossed Charminar around 6 p.m. Last year, the Balapur Ganesh crossed the same point by 2 p.m. Idols in different shapes and avatars, from places in the city, Balapur, Vanasthalipuram, Sultan Shahi, Gowlipura, Chandulal Bela, Begum Bazaar, Khairatabad, Kukatpally among others took part this year. While the idols on lorries were cynosure of all eyes, devotees also brought small idols on scooters and cars with family members chanting bhajans. Those residing in dwellings en route the procession watched the proceedings from their balconies and terraces. Various government departments and service organisations worked through the day to ensure peaceful conduct of the festival. HMWSSB quenched the thirst of devotees by distributing free water sachets at different points en route.

Published Date : Thursday, Sep 23, 01:10PM IST

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