1,500 idols immersed in Godavari

Bhadrachalam: As many as 1,500 Ganesh idols were immersed in River Godavari in Bhadrachalam during the last three days. Not only from the district, but idols from neighbouring districts also were immersed here.

The temple town saw several tractors and lorries coming with Ganesh idols into the town for immersion and the entire place was reverberated with the slogans of ‘Ganesh Bappa Moria…. Jai Jai Ganesha’.

The immersion process was coupled with dances and firing of crackers with several devotees taking part in the procession with enthusiasm.The district administration made all arrangements for the smooth immersion. Separate parking places were set up on the river bank.

Police arranged tight security in the temple town to avoid any untoward incidents. Under the guidance of Assistant Superintendent of Police Sangram Sing Patil, five circle inspectors, eight sub-inspectors and 135 police monitored the immersion process in Godavari on Sunday.

Six cranes were used for lifting the idols from the vehicles and to immerse them in the river. The officials of panchayat, irrigation and electricity departments were pressed into service. Meanwhile, the flood water level was increased on Sunday. It was recorded 16 feet. Three big boats were used for immersing the idols.

Temple Executive Officer Pamela Satpathy, Sub-Collector Bhavesh Mishra and other officials supervised all arrangements at Godavari river. Experienced swimmers were kept ready at Godavari river, in case of emergency. Lions Club organisation had distributed tea and biscuits to the officers and staff of various departments, who were on duty.