There were no celebrations for Ganesh Chaturthi Navarathri this year in Shanivarampeta, Himmathraopeta, Dabbu Thimmayipalli and Ramsagar villages of Kodimial mandal in Jagtial district.
Among the 60 persons, who were killed when the RTC bus plunged into a gorge at Kondagattu temple shrine in on Tuesday, 19 persons belonged to Shanivarampeta, 11 were from Dabbu Thippayipalli, 10 each from Himmathraopeta and Ramsagar. The mass funeral held on Wednesday was accompanied by mourning, that took the life out of festivities for Ganesh Chaturthi. “There is no reason to celebrate Ganesh festival. We are still mourning the loss of our villagers with whom we used to talk, play and argue everyday”, said an emotional Lingaiah, of Himmathraopeta village. “Festivals will come again, but not our dear ones”, he said, adding that each and every street in the village had victim of the dreaded road accident.
The villagers had bought the Ganesh idols and erected emporary mandals. But, the celebrations had been called off and the idols in covers. “We have stopped the celebrations as a mark of respect ”, said Anil, from Shanivarampeta village. “There used to be installation of at least 10 to 15 idols in various localities in the village. But we have decided not to celebrate after the accident claimed several innocent lives”, he said.
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Meanwhile police and temple authorities have erected barricades banning heavy vehicles on the ghat road.