Amid fanfare, around one lakh Ganesh idols were today immersed in Hussain Sagar and other water bodies in Hyderabad, marking the conclusion of the Vinayaka Chaviti festivities.
The idols in different sizes and forms lined up on the streets of Hyderabad since morning for 'nimajjanam' (immersion) after being worshipped since August 25.
The picturesque Hussain Sagar lake, the major water body in the city, was the main venue of the mega event with idols from various parts of the city being brought for immersion.
Around one lakh idols were immersed in the city till about 7 PM, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner B Janardhan Reddy told PTI.
In a departure from the past, the massive Ganesh idol installed at the famous pandal at Khairatabad here was immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake by afternoon to ease congestion on the roads.
In the past, the immersion of the Khairatabad idol, popular among devotees for its huge size, used to take place towards the end of the event. A 57-ft tall idol was installed at Khairatabad for worship this year.
During the festivities, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and other leaders offered prayers to the Khairatabad idol.
AP Home Minister N Narasimha Reddy, who conducted an aerial survey of the processions along with Hyderabad Police Commissioner Mahender Reddy and other top officials in the evening, said the event had been peaceful.
The Home Minister said the processions were being monitored by CCTVs. About 10,000 CCTVs have been installed, he said.
The authorities aimed to conclude the event tonight, he said.
The GHMC made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of the immersion event. The civic body constituted 165 'Ganesh Action Teams' comprising about 10,000 sanitation personnel.
It installed 27 cranes at the Hussain Sagar and several cranes at other water bodies in the city, a GHMC release said.
According to GHMC Mayor B Rammohan, arrangements have been made at 23 water bodies in the city.
Water and other basic facilities have been provided to the devotees, he said. Some voluntary organisations and individuals have also arranged water and snacks.
Police made elaborate security arrangements for the mega event by deploying over 24,000 policemen, besides security personnel belonging to RAF and CRPF, police said.
Meanwhile, auction of 'laddu prasad' (religious offering of a sweet) was conducted at several pandals in the city. But, the auction at a Ganesh pandal in Balapur on the outskirts of Hyderabad fetched a whopping 15.60 lakh.
The auction is conducted every year on the last day of the 'Vinayaka Chaviti' festivities before the idol of Lord Ganesh is taken for immersion.
A person, identified as Tirupati Reddy, bagged the laddu for Rs 15.60 lakh in the auction though several others also participated in the event.
Those participating in the auction believe that the 'prasad' would bring them good fortune if they purchase it.
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