The city environs came alive on Sunday, as immersion of Ganesh idols started on the third day of ‘Navarathri Utsavam’,even as the Irrigation Department made foolproof arrangements for the smooth conduct of the ritual.
Organisers took out processions from pandals to the Krishna river where idols were immersed after the customary puja. The lanes and bylanes of Autonagar, New RTC Colony, Moghalrajpuram and Patamata reverberated with devotional songs, as processions commenced from these places. Festival organisers also distributed ‘prasadam’ to passers-by.
Irrigation Department officials said elaborate arrangements had been made at Bhavani Ghat for the immersion of idols. Two cranes have been placed at the ghat to help organisers shift idols from vehicles and place them on a ‘pantu’ (country boat), which will take the idols to the middle of the river for immersion. At least 20 big idols will be ferried on a pantu at a time, an official said.
As many as eight idols were immersed on the first day, while 14 on the second and close to 200 on the third day. The number is expected go up on fifth, seventh and ninth day of the utsavam. “We are leaving no stone unturned to conduct the immersion without any hiccups,” the official added.
Police records said over 2,000 idols had been installed at open places, temples, shopping complexes, apartments and houses. Irrigation Department Assistant Executive Engineer Ramakrishna said the department would take necessary steps to help the organisers conduct immersion effortlessly. Also, a meeting will be held with police, Revenue and Fire department officials on maintaining the level of water in Krishna.
At present, the irrigation authorities are maintaining the water level at 12-feet at the barrage. Scavengers have been posted at the ghat to remove garbage from time to time to maintain sanitation near the immersion points.
