Ganesh procession passes off peacefully in Hyderabad (Night Lead)

HYDERABAD - The mammoth Ganesh procession passed off peacefully here Wednesday amid unprecedented security.

The main procession, comprising hundreds of big idols, passed through the communally sensitive Old City ahead of the immersion of idols in Hussain Sagar Lake.

Officials said over 1,000 idols were immersed in the lake since early morning and the process was expected to continue till early Thursday.

Heavy rains which lashed the city disrupted the immersion procession for a couple of hours on Wednesday evening. The downpour accompanied by strong winds also hampered immersion.

The tallest idol this year was at Khairatabad. Heavy cranes were deployed to lift the 50-feet idol and put it on a truck ahead of immersion.

Police said though the main procession had passed off peacefully, they would continue the vigil.

Thousands of idols from all parts of state capital Hyderabad and its outskirts were brought to Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city for immersion. More than a million people took part in the festivities.

About 35,000 policemen were deployed as part of the massive security while the army was kept on stand-by.

Earlier, the afternoon and evening prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid also passed off peacefully.

The main procession was stopped some distance away to allow smooth conduct of prayers at the mosque near the historic Charminar. The procession resumed through the communally sensitive area after the prayers.

Police Commissioner A.K. Khan was supervising the security arrangements in the area where communal clashes took place in the past.

With the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court is set to deliver its verdict in the Ayodhya title suit Sep 24, police have made additional security arrangements in the city.

State Home Minister P. Sabita Indra Reddy addressed the gathering from the welcome stage set up by Ganesh procession organisers at Charminar. She stressed the need to maintain peace and communal harmony.

State ministers D. Nagender, Mukesh Goud, Hyderabad Mayor Kartika Reddy, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president G. Kishan Reddy and others addressed the devotees.

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah and other ministers earlier offered prayers to the Ganesh idol at Khairatabad - the tallest idol in the state.

This year the idol was 50-foot-tall and had five-heads with a 500-kg laddu in its palm.

Meanwhile, two people sustained minor injuries at Moazzamjahi Market when a huge idol fell on the road. A crane was arranged to remove the idol.

There was a festive mood in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad with slogan-shouting youth wearing saffron scarves marching towards the lake with the Ganesh idols for immersion.

From a cycle to a long truck, the devotees used every possible mode of transport to carry the idols for immersion. More than 50 cranes have been installed at the lake for the immersion of big idols.

The main procession with huge idols in different sizes began from Balapur in the Old City in the morning. It covered a distance of 20 km to reach the lake.

The procession began after the auction of the traditional ‘laddu’ at Balapur. Businessman A.G. Sridharbabu bought it for Rs.5.35 lakh. However, the auction was marred by controversy as a woman devotee Sarita accused the organisers of cheating her.

Sarita, who had bought the laddu for Rs.5.10 lakh last year, claimed that it was given to another man even though she had offered a price of Rs.5.50 lakh.

Meanwhile, the chief minister congratulated the police for peaceful and smooth conduct of the 11-day Ganesh festival and the immersion procession.