Water scarcity in KC Canal hits Ganesh immersion

Kurnool: With water scarcity in the KC Canal, people here faced extreme hardship in immersing Ganesh idols on the second-day on Sunday. Also, unplanned action by the officials contributing to the people’s woes and delaying the immersion process.

Blocking of water in the Sunkesula reservoir by placing sand bags, the first such happening in Kurnool, has invited widespread criticism from various sections. As a result, the idols could not be immersed properly due to shortage of water in the canal because of deficit rainfall.

Highlights:

• Blocking of water in the Sunkesula reservoir by placing sand bags has invited widespread criticism from various sections in Kurnool
• Because of the scanty water many idols are remaining afloat and devotees have been trying to destroy such idols

The idols are slowly making their way to the immersion spot at Vinayak Ghat near the canal. Because of the scanty water many idols are remaining afloat. Devotees have been seen trying to destroy such idols.

After Bakrid on Saturday, the ‘Shoba yatra’ took off at 10 am after the namaz. At around 4 pm, Deputy Chief Minister K E Krishnamurthy formally launched the ‘nimajjanotsavam. Hundreds of volunteers took part in the yatra in the presence of heavy police security. With the immersion, organisers struggling to complete the process by noon on Sunday, many idols remained out of the canal water.

Huge Ganesh idols made of Plaster of Paris Ganesh have been installed despite the residents facing difficulties in securing even drinking water, because of the continuing scanty rainfall and lack of vision of officials to make suitable arrangements. Limited water from the Sunkesula reservoir is being made available for immersion. Despite such problems, people have been taking pains to tastefully decorate hundreds of idols at mandapams.

The Ganesh Navaratri celebrations continue from three to 11 days depending on the convenience of the residents. In some places, they continue for 41 days, with mandala deeksha and poojas. The devotees offer items like ‘undrallu’, ‘udumulu’, ‘garika’ and ‘cheruku’ to the idols, with wishes that their desires be fulfilled by the Lord. Irrespective of caste and community, both the young and elderly are seen keenly taking part in the immersion.

By V Ramamohan