Over 200,000 Ganesh idols immersed in the city

-  50,000 idols immersed in Hussainsagar Lake

- Immersion processions lasted 40 hours

-  29,000 police oversaw the processions in shifts

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

Lakhs of devotees from the twin cities of Hyderababd and Secunderabad bid farewell to Lord Ganesha marking the conclusion of the 11-day-long Vinayaka Chaviti festivities, was underway in the city and across the state on Saturday. Ganesh idols were immersed in Hussain Sagar and at other water bodies and authorities made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of processions on the final day of immersion.

Nearly 50,000 idols were immersed in the Hussain Sagar Lake alone. People in the outskirts immersed Ganesh idols in the fringes of the city where water bodies were full after the recent rains. The idol immersion took place at 20 major lakes along with 72 specially created artificial ponds to ease traffic and reduce pressure on natural water bodies.

Balapur laddu fetches Rs 35 lakh

The 'laddu' at the famous pandal at Balapur here was auctioned for Rs 35 lakh. Last year it fetched Rs 30.01 lakh. The 'laddu prasadam' at a Ganesh pandal in a residential community at Bandlaguda fetched a whopping Rs 2.32 crore, which was obtained collectively by all residents.

Strong security measures have been put in place to prevent any untoward incidents, 29,000 police personnel were on duty in shifts, police said. Nearly 15,000 sanitation workers worked in three shifts (24x7) in Hyderabad to maintain cleanliness during the event, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) said.

It said 134 static cranes and 259 mobile cranes, including a 'Bahubali' (giant-sized) crane, were positioned at key immersion points. At the Hussain Sagar lake, nine boats, DRF (Disaster Response Force) teams, and 200 swimmers were stationed to prevent untoward incidents.

Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began with devotional fervour and gaiety across Telangana on August 27. Lakhs of Lord Ganesha idols in various sizes and forms have been installed for worship in Hyderabad and all other towns and villages in the state.