Not just a Visarjan; A vivid carnival as ever

Unlike any other city in India, with the exception of Mumbai, Hyderabad makes elaborate arrangements on the day of Ganesh Visarjan. Over 20,000 idols in different sizes from various parts of the city converged at the Tank Bund for immersion. It was a sight to relish as the mood in the city was upbeat and resonated with the beats of drummers and chants of “Ganapati Bappa Morya”.

Many pandal organisers decided to bid goodbye to Ganesha in a grand fashion. The organisers had their own dress codes, Kurta Pyjama for men and Chudidhar for women, who danced their way to Tank Bund. While Teen Maar is the common beat across the city during any procession, the Gujrati and Marwadi community stood out as they performed Garba along the way.

At the Moazzam Jahi Market X Roads, the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi welcomed different associations who brought along their colourful Ganeshas. The Water Board too lent its support by setting up close to 100 water camps along the procession routes and distributed water sachets for free.

That the Ganesh festivities were a majestic event in the city was reiterated by the fact that hawkers travelled far and wide from across the country to make sales. One such hawker Zuber came all the way from Uttar Pradesh to sell merchandise like horns and balloons.

But all was not hunky dory and the city witnessed minor hiccups. At the procession route in Begum Bazaar, TSSPDCL employees were seen rectifying electric wires which led to stoppage in the procession for sometime. At Tank Bund, mischief mongers popped a pint, despite a three-day ban on the sale of alcohol, and started dancing, making it uncomfortable for women.

Khairatabad Ganesh is always a spectacle during this period. Since the government announced that the tallest idol in the city would be showered with flowers from a helicopter during its immersion, a huge crowd gathered to witness the proceedings, leading to a huge traffic jam at the Necklace Road.

Despite minor inconveniences, the city put up a splendid fete and an occasion worth reminiscing.