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Ganesh visarjan continues in HussainSagar lake
Ganesh Idol Immersion Continues in Hyderabad’s Hussain Sagar Lake
The vibrant city of Hyderabad, still immersed in the festive spirit, continued the grand immersion of Lord Ganesh idols on Wednesday morning, following the conclusion of the nine-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. The sacred event, which started on Tuesday, saw hundreds of Ganesh idols in various forms and sizes being carried to the iconic Hussain Sagar Lake and other designated water bodies across the city. The process, which had spilled over into the second day, is expected to conclude by Wednesday afternoon.
In the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) limits alone, a staggering 1,05,707 idols were immersed in lakes and specially set-up ponds by Tuesday night, according to official sources. Various water bodies across the city, including specially prepared immersion tanks, were crowded with devotees performing the ‘visarjan’ ritual.
The GHMC had also deployed teams for cleaning and sanitation, ensuring the areas surrounding the immersion sites remained clean as the Ganesh idols were lowered into the waters. These activities were seamlessly carried out while the grand ‘visarjan’ continued, maintaining a balance between devotion and civic responsibilities.
Hyderabad’s streets were abuzz with the energy of the pandal organizers, devotees, and visitors since Tuesday morning. Devotees thronged the streets in large numbers, accompanying their beloved Ganesh idols to the immersion sites. Traditional songs and the rhythmic beats of drums filled the air, creating a sense of religious fervor and festivity across the city.
The Hussain Sagar Lake, situated in the heart of Hyderabad, became a focal point of the celebrations, with thousands of devotees gathering for the immersion. Vehicles carrying the idols lined up as families and pandal organizers waited for their turn to immerse the idols with prayers and chants, bidding farewell to their deity for the year.
Among the major highlights of the event was the towering 70-foot-tall Ganesh idol from Khairatabad, which had captured the attention of locals and visitors alike throughout the festival. This iconic idol was immersed in the Hussain Sagar Lake on Tuesday afternoon, following a grand ‘Shobha Yatra’ (procession). The Khairatabad Ganesh idol is a symbol of grandeur and devotion, and its immersion marks a significant moment in the city’s celebrations.
Another unique feature of the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities in Hyderabad is the traditional auction of the laddus, offered as ‘prasadam’ in the Ganesh pandals. These laddus hold significant religious value, and it is believed that winning the laddu in an auction brings prosperity and good fortune to the successful bidder. This year’s auctions drew considerable attention, with bidders vying for the coveted laddus in hopes of receiving divine blessings.
To maintain order and ensure the safety of all participants, approximately 20,000 police personnel were deployed across Hyderabad for bandobust duty during the immersion process. The entire city was under strict surveillance as cranes and other heavy machinery worked tirelessly to assist in the immersion of the idols. In total, 468 cranes were stationed at various immersion points to facilitate the smooth immersion of idols, ensuring that even the largest and heaviest idols, like the Khairatabad Ganesh, could be immersed safely.
The immersion of Ganesh idols is not just a religious ceremony; it is a reflection of Hyderabad’s unity, devotion, and dedication to preserving traditions. With thousands of devotees gathering to offer prayers and immerse their idols, the event brought the city together in celebration and reverence.
As the final immersions take place, Hyderabad bids farewell to Lord Ganesh with the promise of welcoming him again next year, marking the end of a joyous and spiritually uplifting festival.
