VISAKHAPATNAM: The City of Destiny is decking up for the Ganesh festival with devotees making elaborate preparations for the 10-day celebrations. While the green activists are campaigning for usage of clay idols, the police are insisting that pandal organisers get prior permissions and are taking all precautions to maintain law and order.
But while the festival is one of the most beloved of all, just for the blaring music and friendly competitions among pandals in various areas of the city, this year’s focus has mainly been on encouraging eco-friendly clay idols.
Several educational institutions and NGOs have already conducted special workshops and distributed clay Ganesh idols from August 25. More organisations are scheduled to organise similar events.
The students of Sri Chaitanya Techno School of the Madhurawada Residential Campus prepared clay models of Lord Ganesha Wednesday. This is part of the students’ crusade for maintaining ecological balance.
For those on team nature, Vizag Journalists’ Forum will distribute clay idols of Lord Ganesha and saplings Thursday at 11 am at the VJF Vinoda Vedika (Narla Bhavan) at Sitasmmadhara. GVMC commissioner MV Satyanarayana will be the chief guest with joint collector Pravin Kumar attending as well.
The Rotary Club Vizag Couples has appealed to the people to patronise only eco-friendly clay images of the Lord. It will also distribute clay idols for free at the Sampath Vinayak temple near Asilmetta from 8 am to 9 am Thursday.
Vasavi Club of Visakhapatnam will also distribute among the public turmeric, vermilion dust, holy ashes, sandalwood powder and clay images of Lord Ganesha at 10 am near Gandhi statue opposite GVMC Thursday.
COPS ON TOES
To prevent drowning and accidents during Ganesh idol immersion, the city police have identified 15 spots along the beach between Bheemili and Mutyalammapalem including Bheemili, Rushikonda, Sagar Nagar, Jodugudlapalem, Fishing Harbour, Yarada, Appikonda, RK Beach, Naval Coastal Battery, Gandhi Statue near NCB, Jetty 11 in Fishing Harbour, Women’s Hostel, Viswapriya Function Hall, Gokul Park and Mutyalammapalem.
Arrangements are underway for the idol immersion ceremony. Over 200 expert swimmers will be deployed by the Fisheries Dept at the spots on the designated immersion dates.
Police beefing up patrolling network along the beach road for the next 10 weeks from Friday. Prior permission from the police for setting up Ganesh pandals and clearance for route of the immersion procession is mandatory. The trolley or the platform on which the idol is kept is to be inspected by the local officer for permission. Curbs on sound limit should be followed scrupulously and public address system stands banned after 10 pm. Obscene dances are banned.
TALLEST IDOLS
The tallest Ganesh idol of 85 feet at Lanka Grounds in Gajuwaka is a major attraction.
Idols of more than 60 feet height would be installed at Waltair bus depot, Nakkavanipalem, Old TB Hospital Junction and Marripalem.