Tirupati, September 12, 2013: Amid drumbeats, dances and fireworks, Ganesh idols in the city were given a rousing send-off by the devotees here on Wednesday. While immersion is conducted on the ninth day at Hyderabad and elsewhere, it is done on the third day here.

People turned out in huge numbers to witness the ‘Nimajjana Mahotsavam’, which was carried out in a systematic manner. Over 350 idols of different shapes and sizes from various pandals erected at street corners were taken in a procession before converging at Vinayaka Sagar situated on Karakambadi Road. While some revellers danced all the way to the beats of traditional ‘dolu’ and ‘dappu’, others ensured a smooth parade by removing the dangling electrical wires which might interfere with the idols.

The processions began from four different points – Konetikatta, Town Club, S.V Arts College and Hare Krishna temple before culminating at the Vinayaka Sagar. BT roads were laid around the tank so as to immerse the deities from all sides of it.

Safety measures of the venue were effectively managed by the ‘Sri Varasiddhi Vinayaka Mahotsava Committee’ in coordination with the Police department, which installed barricades and sufficiently illuminated the surroundings for safe viewing of the event.

Source: The Hindu, September 12, 2013