Amidst unprecedented security and the presence of over a million devotees, the final Ganesh immersion procession passed off peacefully in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, on Saturday.
Thousands of large and small idols were taken in a 15-kilometre-long procession from Balapur in the Old City to Hussain Sagar Lake for immersion, in large trucks.
The main procession started at around 11:15am after the completion of the
auction of the Balapur Ganesh laddu. People lined up in large numbers along the procession route, and also gathered at Tank Bund and Necklace Road to witness the immersion of over 40,000 Ganesh idols of all sizes.
The city's tallest Ganesh idol at Khairatabad, too, started its journey for immersion into the Hussain Sagar on Saturday afternoon.
The state government deployed over 50 heavy-duty cranes to facilitate the immersion of idols.
More than 15,000 security personnel, including Special Forces, were deployed to ensure the peaceful culmination of the mammoth procession. Police pickets were set up at sensitive places, and heavy contingents posted at all places of religious importance on the procession route.
Closed circuits cameras were also installed at important locations, to monitor the situation remotely.
Home Minister P Sabitha Indira Reddy and Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy conducted an aerial survey to review the security arrangements. The helicopter took off from Begumpet Airport at around 1pm, and the DGP reviewed arrangements on the route.
There were some touching examples of communal harmony and brotherhood during the procession. At several locations, Muslims were seen distributing water sachets and food packets to the devotees. (INN)