HYDERABAD: Admist the chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’, the Ganesh idol immersion processions in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad started for Hussain Sagar lake on Monday.
Thousands of idols in myriad forms were taken in a centralised procession in decorated trucks from Balapur in Old City to the lake for immersion at NTR Marg, Upper Tank Bund Road and Ministers Road.
Meanwhile, the city wore a festive look on the occasion. The immersion is expected to continue till the early hours of Tuesday. The procession began after the auction of the famed Balapur ‘Laddu for a whopping `9.5 lakh. It was sold to one Singireddy Jayender Reddy.
According to the GHMC and police officials, idols are being immersed in nearly a dozen identified water bodies in and around the city but majority of them will be immersed in Hussain Sagar.
The main procession, which began behind schedule from Balapur, was joined by others as it meandered past Chandrayangutta, Falaknuma, Shalibanda, Charminar, Patherghatti, MJ Market, Abids, Basheerbagh on its way to its destination.
The city’s tallest idol (60 feet) at Khairatabad has also begun its journey to the lake for immersion. Due to its large size, the idol is likely to be immersed into the lake at NTR Marg on Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile, devotees used every mode of transport to carry the idols. More than 40 cranes have been installed at the lake to oversee the smooth passage of the process. People, in large numbers, lined up along the procession routes to witness the immersion.
Hundreds of saffron-scarf clad youth proceeded towards the lake as the atmosphere reverberated with the slogans of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ and Ab Ke Baras Jaldi Aa’.
Saffron flags and bandanas, sprinkling of Gulal, pulsating drum beats were witnessed on main roads. Colours were sprinkled on devotees and processions were halted at several places to allow young devotees indulge in boisterous dancing.
Welcome arches and pandals were set up at various place as leaders welcomed the procession and devotees. Mahant of Sri Shambhu Panch Dasnaam Aawahan Akhara Mahant Sadhvi Vibhanand Giri and general secretary of the Akhila Bharatiya Sadhvi Shakti Parishad Vaishnavi Pragya Bharatiya, who were specially invited by the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Smaithi (BGUS) delivered speeches at Charminar and MJ Market.
As many as 25,000 security personnel including paramilitary forces were deployed as part of the massive security arrangements. Police pickets were set up in sensitive areas and places of religious importance.
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