Lakhs participate in Ganesh idol immersion

Lakhs of people lined up the nearly 15 kilometre stretch of the procession route for the centralised Ganesh idol immersion procession in the southern parts of the State capital on Wednesday.

Situation in the twin cities is quite normal and relaxed.

Hundreds of Ganesh idols have been immersed in Hussain Sagar which is rechristened as ‘Ganesh Sagar’ for the annual mega event, in which an estimated 12 lakh people participate. Most of the small sized Ganesha idols have been brought to the lake where more than 40 heavy duty cranes are pressed into service to help immerse the idols.

On the outskirts, immersion of idols is picking up in lakes at Kapra, Saroornagar, Kukatpally and Safilguda.

Balapur Ganesh Laddoo fetches Rs. 5.35 lakh in auction

The auction of the laddu weighing nearly 21 kg kept at the Ganesh pandal at Balapur village on city outskirts fetched a record sum of Rs 5.35 lakh in the auction conducted before the centralised procession began.

An employee of Vijaya Electricals, Kodali Sreedhar offered to pay Rs 5.35 lakh, more than 25,000 of last year’s figure. The buying of laddoo, which is kept at the feet of Ganesha in the pandal, is considered as auspicious by the devout.

The organisers of the Ganesh festival in Balapur said the money would be utilised for development of Balapur locality and also for construction of a Ganesha temple. Last year Rs. One lakh was donated to the Kurnool flood victims.