Pomp, gaiety mark Ganesh processions

Charminar: The main Ganesh immersion procession from the southern part of the City began after the 10-day long festivities on a grand note. RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat was the chief guest for the immersion ceremony, who welcomed the Ganesh idols and devotees from the historic Charminar on Thursday.

Even as the Ganesh idols slowly passed through the entire stretch from Falaknuma,Shalibandaup to Charminar, the Chief Guest and the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi members were seen welcoming the idols by offering floral tribute amidst chanting and sloganeering. Mohan Bhagwat was invited by the Samithi. Thousands of devotees who were present near Charminar also tried to catch a glimpse of Mohan Bhagwat.

Hundreds of Ganesh idols coming from Balapur, Chandrayangutta, Bandlaguda, Falaknuma, Shamsheergunj, Uppuguda, Lal Darwaza, Shahalibanda, Haribowli and all the surrounding areas passed through Charminar. On this occasion, while displaying Ganga-Jamuni Tehzeeb, many Muslims were also seen distributing drinking water among the devotees.

Some of those who took part in the procession also tried to generate awareness about traffic rules and ill-effects of drunk and drive. They also encouraged the general public to wear helmets for their own safety precautions.

Hyderabad City police made all the security arrangements in coordination with the teams of Special Forces, which include Special Operations Team (SOT), Rapid Action Force (RAF) deployed in the sensitive areas and near Charminar. Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav also visited the Charminar.