Ongole, September 19, 2013: Kothapatnam and other coastal villages in Prakasam district were beehive of activity as devotees from far and near brought attractive Ganesh idols of different sizes and shapes for immersion in the Bay of Bengal as part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, on Wednesday.

The beautiful idol of Lord Ganesh installed close to the Nellore bus stand was mounted on a tractor amidst chanting of slogan Ganesh Maharaj kee jai after performance of special poojas for universal peace.

Women applied colours on each other, while frenzied youth danced in perfect coordination to the drum beating. Children sat on the tractors after taking turns to get sweets and other eatables as prasadam to enjoy the festivities. Youth burst crackers to give a warm send off to the Lord for removal of all obstacles.

Heavy bandobust

The elephant-headed god should return for the celebrations next year to bless them with health, wealth and prosperity, they wished.

YSR Congress Chief Whip Balineni Srinivasa Reddym MLA, visited several Ganesh pandals and joined the devotees in the celebrations.

Police made heavy bandobust in the city and at Koppole, Alluru, Chintala to ensure that the processions were held in an orderly manner. Expert swimmers were pressed into service for the immersion as also to prevent any incidents of drowning in, among other places, Voderavu, Ethamukula, Pakala, and Ozhapalem in the district.

Source: The Hindu, September 19, 2013