Jai Ganesha chants reverberate in pilgrim city

Tirupati: All roads led to Vinayaka Sagar lake in Tirupati on Sunday as hundreds of Ganesha idols, worshipped in the city were brought in for immersion there. Amidst the chantings of “Jai Ganesha” reverberating the streets, citizens performed “Nimajjanam” according to their customs and beliefs.

Highlights:

• Authorities have made elaborate arrangements at Vinayaka Sagar and in the city as the number of idols coming for immersion are increasing year after year
• Urban SP Abhishek Mohanty chalks out a plan to complete immersion process between 3 pm to 10 pm on Sunday

The authorities have made elaborate arrangements at Vinayaka Sagar and in the city. As the number of idols coming to Vinayaka Sagar for immersion were increasing year after year, the authorities have taken all steps to leave no stone unturned.

Officers of Revenue, TTD, TUDA, Police, Roads & Buildings and Excise have joint discussions and chalked out a foolproof plan to be implemented on immersion day. The Varasiddi Vinayaka Mahotsava Committee taken initiative in coordinating with officials on one hand and the organisers who installed idols at various places on the other and streamlined everything. They focused special attention right from the installation of idols at different areas till the immersion.

Urban SP Abhishek Mohanty chalked out a plan to complete immersion process between 3 pm to 10 pm on Sunday. Specific orders have issued to all organisers of mandapas against bursting crackers during the procession.

Police force was deployed for the smooth and safe proceedings without causing any inconvenience to women and children.
Police have divided the whole city into five zones and drawn a specific route map for each zone to ensure an orderly movement of processions.

Convenor of Tirupati Varasiddi Vinayaka Mahotsava Committee Samanchi Srinivas told The Hans India that the major difference this year was that those who perform pooja at their homes with small Ganesh idols have come in large numbers to immerse them at Vinayaka Sagar. Another significant change was that all the wine shops are closed on Sunday as ordered by the Collector. This is the first time that such a step was taken by the district administration, which has brought sanctity to the event. Special care was taken in providing lighting, ramps, floats and drinking water enroute the lake.

All the processions were proceeding to Vinayaka Sagar after receiving ‘Aarati’ at the ‘Maddimanu’ area which was said to be gateway to lake. About 800 plus idols installed this year, 600 idols were scheduled for immersion on Sunday, he explained.

Committee members have asked the organisers of various mandapas to move the idols by 3.30 pm in view of Rahu Kalam from 4.30 pm. Hence, they hoped the total immersion programme will be completed by 10 pm. As it was Sunday, not much traffic disruptions took place though big processions were organised. People were seen dancing to beats of traditional instruments like ‘dolu’, ‘dappu’ and others before the processions.