Hyderabad, September 17, 2013: Ganesh idol immersion procession is just a day away and like all the regular festivities since idol installation, pandal organisers lay lot of emphasis on immersion procession and the grandeur associated with it.

Amidst all this, pandal organisers are also feeling the pinch of escalating expenditure connected with immersion procession.

Many pandal organisers are working hard to make their respective idols and vehicles carrying the idols standout in the procession by decorating them with special themes.

Themes

While, some use fruits, pearls etc to deck up the vehicles, others come up with interesting themes. During the last couple of years, many pandal organisers had come up with themes like anti-corruption, abolishing VAT on textiles, Telangana etc.

Depending on the budget, associations make their arrangements for immersion procession.

However, with escalating fuel costs and rising prices of commodities, this year many pandal organisers are worried about their budget.

The total expenditure involved right from cost of idol to immersion expenses is calculated and residents are requested to contribute their donations accordingly.

“Last year we paid Rs.17,000 for a truck but this we were forced to cough up Rs. 19,000 apart from fuel costs,” says C. Laxman Reddy of Sri Krishna Balbhakta Samajam at Falaknuma.

The Transport Department will be arranging trailers, trucks and other vehicles for the convenience of the pandal organisers at Secunderabad, Nagole, Necklace Road, Chandrayanagutta, Hi-Tec City.

Pandal organisers have to obtain a letter from the Bhagyanagar Utsav Samiti get a transport vehicle and pay the rent for the same.

Depending on the truck/trailer, the rent is anywhere between Rs.1,300-Rs.3,500 and even up to Rs.17,000.

In addition to this, organisers also have to shell out a hefty sum for musical band or dance troupes, decoration and lighting. “This year the total cost for immersion day is working out to be about Rs. 30,000 while the idol just cost us Rs. 10,000,” Shekhar, an organiser at Aliabad explains.

No compromise

Many pandal organisers rope in folk artists, band troops, singers and others to perform on the immersion day.

“Most welfare association members do not compromise on the decoration of vehicles or aspects connected with immersion. This year, the demand for our troop is very high as quite a few associations have booked special troops,” says Sudevan, who organises traditional Kerala Shingari Melam and Panchavadyam for different occasions.

Onam angle

“Generally, the troop performs in 12 or 24 members band and the charges range from Rs.30,000 to Rs.60,000. Unfortunately, we could not arrange more artists as Onam festival is being celebrated in Kerala and many had gone to their native places to celebrate with their family and friends,” he adds.

Source: The Hindu, September 17, 2013