Harish Rao Prays Lord Ganapathi At Khairatabad

BRS MLA and former minister T Harish Rao today visited the Saptamukha Mahasakthi Ganapati at Khairatabad (Bada Ganesh) as part of the Vinayaka Navaratri celebrations.

He offered special prayers on the occasion.

Earlier, the organizers of the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi gave a grand welcome to Rao. A large number of devotees had also thronged Khairatabad to pay obeisance to the 70-feet tall idol.

Speaking on the occasion, Rao said, "Our Khairatabad Vinayaka is famous in the world. Once upon a time Vinayaka Chaturthi was associated primarily with Mumbai. But now the whole country is praising the Khairatabad Ganesh. The organizers of our Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee have the credit for making the world's largest Ganesh idol. If we do a small puja at home, we have to face a lot of difficulties. But for the last 70 years, the Ganesh idol here has been installed on such a large scale, and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the organisers," he said.

Rao also said that be it Dasara, Diwali, Bathukamma, Bonalu, Ram Navami or Vinayaka Chavithi, Indians had a culture of celebrating in a grand manner, and that it was the responsibility of all to pass on this culture to the future generations.

"When we all think of Vinayaka Chaturthi, we think it's a vibrant program. But an emotion is also there in this festival. During the freedom movement, Bal Gangadhar Tilak organized Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations to bring all the people of the country together. These celebrations took the freedom struggle forward. We are continuing that culture," he said.

Rao also said that under the leadership of KCR Ganesh utsavams were celebrated in a grand manner for nine years, and requested the State Government to conduct the immersion ceremonies in the same manner. He also said that the State Government should act without hurting anyone's sentiments.