Thousands Bid Adieu To Khairatabad Ganesha

Amidst animated chanting by thousands of devotees, the towering Sri Saptamukha Kalasarpa Ganapathi of Khairatabad, perhaps the most popular idol of the Lord in the state, was immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake this afternoon.

The 57-feet idol weighing 40 tons was the first to start towards the nearby lake, leaving at 7.30 am on Sunday for the immersion. The huge procession befitting the size and popularity of the idol wound its way through the streets of Hyderabad, with thousands thronging both sides of the road and standing atop buildings to have a glimpse.

The authorities arranged a 400-ton special crane, and the idol was immersed by 1 pm. Devotees in large numbers accompanied the idol till the immersion, and men, women and children looked with awe as the towering idol was lowered into the lake with the help of the giant crane.

Earlier, hundreds of idols were immersed in the lake till late in the afternoon, with lakhs of devotees intently watching the spectacle. Amidst ecstatic devotees dancing to drumbeats and bhajans, the various Ganesh idols' procession started at 6 am from various parts of the twin cities and reached Hussain Sagar. Thousands of idols in different shapes and sizes were immersed in the lake from their designated spots.

The police made elaborate security arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the immersion processions, and ensured their smooth passage from all the various localities. Emergency response teams were stationed at key locations on the route in precautionary measures. There was little vehicular traffic on the city roads barring the idols' processions. The police heaved a sigh of relief as the Nimarjanam was peaceful and completed in record time.