Kurnool, September 18, 2013: Colourful rallies marked the Ganesh idol immersion function concluding the nine-day celebrations here on Tuesday.

Over 600 idols installed in different localities and corners of the city were brought in processions to Vinayak Ghat for immersion in the KC canal as has been the tradition every year.

The enthusiasm of the revellers doubled as the JAC leaders put off the stir for a day to accommodate the celebrations. The city wore a festive look with the excited youth swathed in colours dancing to drum beats and film numbers in front of the chariots.

The authorities deployed four cranes on both bunds of the canal to lower the idols into the water. The first procession formally started at Rambotla temple in Old Town where Collector C. Sudharsan Reddy, TDP leader Rambhupal Choudary, VHP president G. Raghava Reddy, Panyam MLA Katasani Rambhupal Reddy and S.V. Mohan Reddy took part in the rituals.

At Vinayak Ghat, Minister T.G. Venkatesh formally inaugurated the immersion. Swami Kamalananda Bharathi was also present to grace the event. Ganesh Mahotsava Kendra Samiti made arrangements throughout the city for passage of rallies to avoid overcrowding. Giant TV screens were set up along the route. The police made tight security arrangements and traffic regulations for the festival. SP K. Raghurami Reddy visited the places and supervised the arrangements. He held talks with the JAC leaders a day before seeking their cooperation for the peaceful conduct of the event.

The district police with the help of the district administration have made all arrangements for a peaceful Ganesh immersion on Wednesday across the district. The police have enforced the closure of all liquor shops from Tuesday across the district.

According to the district police, devotees of lord Ganesha set up over 1,000 pandals in towns and villages this year. Pandal organisers have already immersed over 200 idols on the third and fifth day of the Navaratri celebrations. The police also warned the organisers of pandals not to use any loudspeakers and said that strict action would be taken against the drivers of procession vehicles if they were found to be drunk.

The police issued instructions asking the pandal’s organisers in Nalgonda town to take idols below six feet to Vallabarao Kunta and idols more than 6 feet high to 14th Mile canal near Haliya. Haliya SI M. Vijay Prakash has said they are expecting more number of idols to 14th Mile canal to any other immersion place in the district. Mr. Prakash said they were making all arrangements to rescue devotees if anyone accidentally fell into the canal during immersion.

Source: The Hindu, September 18, 2013