The heavy rain that lashed the city on Wednesday evening did not dampen the spirit of devotees as the chants of ‘Jai Bolo Ganesh Maharaj ki’ only grew louder and shriller under the heavy downpour.
While the procession was behind schedule with most of the bigger idols yet to reach the tank bund even by evening, the heavy rain that lashed the city certainly seemed to have further pushed the procession on to the back foot.
People ran helter skelter seeking shelter under bus stops, stalls and every possible space, youngsters danced joyfully under the rain and played on water puddles. While many, like Ravi Kadam, a glass worker from Nampally, had arrived with his family at the NTR Marg equipped with raincoats and umbrellas, there was no respite.
“Looking at the weather in the morning, we knew it would rain and so we brought umbrellas and raincoats for children. But, the way it rained, there was no escape,” said Kadam, who is a native of Indore. Meanwhile, Shyam Prasad, a resident of Malkajgiri, who was seen standing in the rain asked, “How many Hyderabadis do you see holding umbrellas when it rains? Should not we be enjoying the rain instead of complaining?”. He further said, “the rains would at least wash away all the chemical colours from the idols before they are immersed in the lake.”
Shivraj Pehalwan from Begum Bazaar, who was seen sitting care free in the rain atop a truck, said, “I have never seen it rain cats and dogs like this on this day. It is a good sign and the Lord will take care of us.”
For large number of hawkers and vendors, who had gathered on the roads hoping for some good business, were disappointed. Tirupati, a hawker from Warangal who was selling peanuts said, “We hoped to make some business today. The rains have ruined our business.”