Machilipatnam, September 19, 2013: Concluding the nine-day Vinayaka Navaratri Utsav, most of the idols were immersed in the sea at Manginapudi Beach on Wednesday, amid cultural performances by the members of Utsav committees.

The immersion ceremony of the lord Ganesha idols started in the afternoon with processions and bhajans. Almost eighty per cent of the idols installed in the town were immersed while remaining would be immersed after 14 days of the Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations.

Heavy vehicles carrying the Ganesha idols make a beeline for Manginapudi Beach Road, which was crowded with scores of devotees and their performances and sound of the loud speakers with traditional drums attracted thousands.

Since devotees brought the idols from many villages, about 10 km from the beach, the police controlled the mob and warned them of venturing deep into the sea to take the holy dip. Nevertheless, flocks of devotees including people from other religions joined the utsav and took a holy dip, amid slogan shouting of ‘Ganapathi Bappa Moria’.

In a bid to avoid any untoward incident like drowning due to the strong currents in the sea and the waves on the shore, the police allowed the devotees to immerse the idols at a selected point of the beach, which is normally meant for visitors.

Thousands of devotees participated in Ganesh idols immersion on the banks of Krishna in Vijayawada. The immersion process would continue until Thursday evening and all the roads leading to the river banks reverberated with the chants of ‘Jai Ganesha’, ‘Jai Jai Ganesha’.

About 1,500 idols are expected to arrive at Durga Ghat and Ibrahimpatnam Ferry on the last two days of Ganesh Navarathri Utsavams. The officials made elaborate arrangements for ‘Nimajjanam’. One crane, a punt and boats were arranged in the river for immersing the idols.

With the Intelligence Bureau (IB) alerting police over possible terrorist attack, they arranged heavy security for the annual ritual. Intelligence network has been stepped up for the peaceful conduct of immersion ritual.

28 swimmers

About 28 expert swimmers were arranged at the places where the immersion was being done. With two youth drowning during the festivity in Krishna River recently, police took steps to prevent recurrence of such incidents.

Nearly 150 police personnel, including Circle Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors and other staff were engaged on ‘Nimajjanam’ duties.

Source: The Hindu, September 19, 2013