: Lord Ganesha gets joyful send-off in Hyderabad #IndiaNEWS #Hyderabad Hyderabad: All roads in the city and suburbs on Friday led to the water bodies as devotees in large numbers joined the Ganesh idols

Lord Ganesha gets joyful send-off in Hyderabad #IndiaNEWS #Hyderabad
Hyderabad: All roads in the city and suburbs on Friday led to the water bodies as devotees in large numbers joined the Ganesh idols immersion procession.
The enthusiastic buzz of the immersion of the idols began right from the early hours not only at Hussain Sagar, but also at other lakes and ponds apart from specially created artificial ponds in different parts of the city. Soon, long and winding processions started to form at most of the road junctions as more people joined in and headed for immersion chanting ’Ganpati Bappa Moriya’ and Ganesh Maharaj ki Jai.

Clad in traditional attires and in a celebratory mood, children and youth were seen dancing to the beats of musical bands as the processions proceeded at a steady pace. Families in large numbers were also seen directly coming to NTR Marg to immerse the idols from their homes at Hussain Sagar lake.
At different points along the procession routes, specially erected dais welcomed the devotees, and flower petals were showered on the idols. Snacks and buttermilk were served by several commercial establishments and also voluntary groups.
As the idols depicting Lord Ganesha in myriad forms passed through, devotees lined up along the roadside and offered prayers amid the playing of devotional songs. An idol made of coins was the cynosure of all eyes while another idol on a platform attached with a trailer kind of arrangement carrying ten small idols in a line attracted the attention of many.
280 cranes deployed at immersion points
Elaborate arrangements were made by the State government for the smooth conduct of Ganesh idols immersion across the city on Friday.
Apart from security arrangements to ensure a smooth and peaceful procession, 280 cranes were deployed at the immersion points. The GHMC had pressed into service around 10,000 sanitation staff and the HMWS&SB setup counters along the procession route to provide drinking water. At NTR Marg, mobile toilets were also installed.
Around 100 expert swimmers were deployed at immersion sites to tackle emergencies while medical camps were set up. The procession and immersion of idols were monitored by senior officials of various departments including GHMC and the police from the temporary tents raised along the NTR Marg.
Apart from the main water bodies, the Ganesh idol immersion was also held at 74 artificial ponds across the city.
Devotees brave rain to bid adieu
Spells of rains delayed the centralised Ganesh immersion procession by a few hours in old city.
The procession picked pace with the Balapur Ganesh idol starting its journey around 11. 30 am after the auction of the laddu, fetched a record Rs. 24. 6 lakh. Soon many more idols lined up the road between Chandrayangutta and Charminar started for Hussain Sagar.