Dasara was celebrated with gaiety, enthusiasm and fervour in the city. Lanes and bylanes reverberated with songs praising Goddess Durga. Temples and youth organisations in various parts of the twin cities organised special programmes to mark the occasion.
Clad in their best, people thronged temples from the crack of dawn on Sunday.
Decked up
Temples were decked up with lights and flowers and special pujas were conducted as part of celebrations. Resident welfare organisations including Khairtabad Residents Association burnt effigies of Raavan, symbolising victory of good over evil.
Business establishments were illuminated and scores of outlets offered a plethora of special offers, discounts and prizes for customers as part of celebrations.
Long queues were witnessed at temples with motorists particularly those purchasing new ones conducting special prayers to seek blessings of the Goddess.
Gifts distributed
Meanwhile, organisations like Desi Events conducted special Dandiya programme to raise funds for thalassemia patients in twin cities.
Close to 20 thalasemia a patients, orphans and disabled children gathered at Classic Gardens, Secunderabad to take part in the entertainment programmes.
The organisation in its efforts to help thallassemia patients decided to contribute 25 per cent of funds generated from the event for treatment of thalassemia patients,” said Lata Jain of Desi Events.
Home Minister, Sabita Indra Reddy, who was the chief guest, distributed gifts to children.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that the efforts would be made to include the treatment costs of thalassemia under Arogyasri scheme.
