Khammam, September 19, 2013: An impressive procession was taken out in the town on the occasion of Ganesh idols immersion ceremony on Wednesday marking the culmination of the nine-day Ganesh Navaratri festivities.

‘Kolatam’ performed

Tastefully decorated Ganesh idols of various sizes were carried in flower bedecked vehicles in the procession. The procession began at Gandhi Chowk and passed through the main streets of the town. Women devotees performed “Kolatam” dance and recited devotional songs en route the procession. Young devotees danced to the pulsating beats of drums amid slogans in praise of Lord Ganesha.

Khammam MLA T Nageswara Rao, Collector I Srinivas Sri Naresh, Superintendent of Police A V Ranganath and others participated in a meeting held to mark the end of Ganesh Navaratri festivities at Gandhi Chowk here. The meeting was conducted under the aegis of Sthambadri Utsava Samithi.

Addressing the participants, the speakers highlighted the significance of Ganesh Navaratri celebrations and national integration.

Safety precautions

Elaborate arrangements were made at the Ganesh idols’ immersion site on the banks of Munneru river here. Expert swimmers were deployed at the immersion site as a safety precaution.

Floodlights were arranged to facilitate immersion of Ganesh idols till late in the night. Cranes were also pressed into service for this purpose.

Hundreds of Ganesh idols were immersed in the Godavari at Bhadrachalam on Wednesday.

Idols were brought to the temple town from various parts of the district and neighbouring districts as well as from bordering areas in Chhattisgarh State.

Source: The Hindu, September 19, 2013