Srikakulam, September 5, 2013: Ganesh pandals will turn into venues to raise voice in favour of unified Andhra Pradesh as organisers wanted to mix up devotion with the sentiment of people.

Compared to previous years, expenditure during Ganesh Navaratri Utsavalu will come down this year as many people could not give huge donations due to slack in business and non payment of salaries to government employees.

However, drop in donations would not diminish religious fervour as organizess understood the financial difficulties of people with the prolonged agitations. Expenditure on decorations may come down but the activities will be organised as usual, say organisers.

Meanwhile, authorities of Sri Vijaya Ganapati temple are making elaborate arrangements for Ganesh Navaratri Mahotsvam that would begin on September 9. Ganesh idol on the top of the temple has been painted with pearl colour to showcase the lord in a different form.

Temple trustee Ippili Haranatha Rao and priests P.Sridhar Sarma and Surya Nagesh Kumar Sarma said several programmes, including Ksheerabhisekam, Vastralankarana Seva and Ganapati homam will be performed as part of the celebrations. They urged devotees to participate in all the devotional activities.

Source: The Hindu, September 5, 2013