Ganesha immersion passes off peacefully

(Clockwise) A Ganesha idol being immersed in Munneru river in Khammam on Sunday. Children taking part in the immersion procession at Sangareddy in Medak. A woman carrying a Ganesha idol to immerse in a tank in Warangal.– PHOTOS: G.N. RAO, Mohd Arif & M. Murali

n a glittering ‘shobha yatra’ of idols of Lord Ganesha that ran well into the night on Sunday, the immersion was a peaceful event in Adilabad. As many as 180 idols formed part of the procession which started from different corners and localities in the town and converged at Ambedkar Chowk for the onward journey towards river Penganga where the idols were immersed.

The proceedings began in the morning with Collector M. Jagan Mohan and First Additional Sessions Judge Sunitha Kunchala flagging off the shobha yatra. Most of the idols, however, joined the procession only towards the evening.

Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police Tarun Joshi supervised the shobha yatra at Nirmal town. About 100 idols were taken on a procession there.

Special Correspondent adds: The Ganesha idol immersion got off to a colourful start here on Sunday. The event began with flagging off the oxen-pulled chariot laden with idols at Dubba in the town. Sarvajanik Ganesh Samithi president Bantu Ramesh flagged off the ‘Ganesh Shobhayatra’.

MLA B. Ganesh Gupta, MLC Akula Lalitha, Mayor Akula Sujatha, former MLA Yendala Lakshminarayana, Collector Yogitha Rana, Superintendent of Police S. Chandrashekar Reddy, TPCC official spokesman B. Mahesh Kumar Goud, officials and others offered special pujas before the shobhayatra.

As the chariot proceeded through the main thoroughfares, slogans hailing Lord Ganesha rent the air. The chariot reached Vinayakula Bavi (well) at Vinayaknagar winding through Nehru Park, Weekly market, Kotagally, Pochammagally and Phulong Chowrasta.

Small idols below three feet were immersed in the Vinayakula Bavi, while the big ones were taken to the irrigation tank at Malkapur, 10 km away from the town. The district administration and police had made elaborate arrangements for idol immersion.

Staff Reporter adds: Ganesha idol immersion began with much fanfare in Medak district on Sunday. Police had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the event. Cranes were set up at tanks to lift the idols. At the district headquarters, the idols were immersed at a tank located on the outskirts of the town. The immersion is expected to conclude on Monday afternoon.

Collector M. Jagan Mohan and First Additional Sessions Judge Sunitha Kunchala flag off the shobha yatra in Adilabad