HYDERABAD: The Dhoolpet Ganesh idol procession and immersion, known for celebrating a day ahead of the main procession in the city, was held on a grand scale here on Tuesday.

The convoy of more than 200 Ganesh idols installed by different communities living in and around Dhoolpet began a bit late in the evening from Sardar Community hall.

Pulsating tunes

Exquisitely decorated idols - small and big - reflecting cultures of different communities were seen in the procession.

Using trumpets, cymbals, bass drums, tambourines, guitars and flutes, youngsters danced to pulsating tunes of folk songs and film music.

Organised by Lodh Kshatriya Sadar Panchayat, the Dhoolpet Ganesh idol procession has been taken out a day ahead of the main procession for the past 30 years.

"Our elders started this separate procession after clashes broke out with a particular group here during Ganesh festival earlier. To thwart such fights, they decided to immerse idols a day in advance," says the panchayat's president Ramraj Singh.

Ironically, over some period of time, even their opponents joined them.

Age-old practice

"Now, even our opponents join us, but all of us are sticking to the tradition of taking out the convoy a day in advance," Mr. Singh explained.

Covering all main streets of Dhoolpet, the procession reaches Puranapool at the end for immersion of idols in Musi river.

However, the idols are being brought to Hussainsagar for the past five years due to inadequate water in Musi river.

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