If one ignores the pollution angle, the grand finale of Ganesha idol procession in old city was a feast for the eyes, beginning from Chandrayangutta going beyond the iconic Charminar.
As huge, colourful idols were taken out of pandals for immersion, thousands of people gathered along the procession route to get a glimpse of them. It was not just the imposing idols, but the ones with varied themes that caught their attention. Some travelling in vehicles laden with idols were singing bhajans , while others danced to the pulsating beats till they got bone-tired.
A day like no other: 1. Ganesha idols being taken in a procession while thousands gather along the route, in old city on Tuesday. 2. A themed-based idol grabbed the eyeballs during the procession. 3. The road and the foot overbridge near Hussainsagar lake crammed with people who had come to witness the immersion of Khairatabad Ganesha. 4. The personnel of Rapid Action Force deployed at Charminar for the procession. 5. Youngsters dancing to pulsating beats on their way to Tank Bund.
Speeches by Ganesh Utsav Samithi members had a political tinge as they frequently referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was to the extent that they even talked about Mr. Modi’s programmes and the “positive impact” that the demonetisation had on the economy. But the crowds seemed least bothered as they curiously watched the massive procession filling every space on the road. The police had hoped to send the last idol by 6 p.m., having persuaded the pandal organisers to start taking out the idols for immersion at the earliest. But it didn’t turn out as expected as the main procession did not start till noon. Given this, the immersion was on even after 9 p.m.
Interestingly, there was no trace of the usual tension that grips people when the procession extends beyond evening. People were seen moving freely at Charminar even at 7 p.m.
