The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : With Ganesha on lips and patriotism in their hearts

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 26, 2007
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

With Ganesha on lips and patriotism in their hearts

City Bureau

Devotees revel in Indian cricket team’s Twenty20 World Cup win; carnival atmosphere grips city and outskirts

Photo: K. Ramesh Babu.

Festivity unlimited: A Ganesh procession with the tri-colour and pictures of Indian cricket team members makes its way to Hussainsagar. (Right) A foreigner takes pictures of the colourful procession on Tuesday. -

HYDERABAD: The Indian cricket team’s victory over Pakistan found an echo in the Ganesh procession with many speakers who addressed the procession making a mention of it. “Most have been celebrating the victory till late Monday night, that is why the procession began on a slow note,” observed BJP leader Bandaru Dattatreya. Many came carrying the national flag and some organisers raised the subject of Ram Sethu too.

Elaborate arrangements

Elaborate arrangements were on witness at the immersion venues ringing the Hussainsagar lake on Tuesday. While the Necklace Road had nine cranes, each posted with a police party comprising one inspector, two sub-inspectors and 10 constables, the Tank Bund stretch had 21 cranes.

Politicians join festivity

Ministers and politicians from different parties were seen receiving the procession and making brief speeches. They included Mohd. Shabbir Ali, Jana Reddy, Mukesh Goud, A. Narendra, Teegala Krishna Reddy, G. Kishen Reddy and Baddam Bal Reddy.

Foreigners add colour

A fair sprinkle of foreigners too was on witness at the immersion site. A group of tourists from Netherlands enjoyed the sight of Vinayaka in myriad forms immersing into the Hussainsagar water. Another German group was clearly stumped by the ‘loud and colourful’ proceedings. “We have carnivals where people dress up for the occasion, but here it is more colourful with idols and all this paraphernalia,” one said.

Two foreigners drew the attention of revellers at Shahalibanda. The women, Cherry and Turby, from California, U.S., came to the city to know more about Ganesh festival. The master artistry and imagination that went into making these idols surprised them a lot. “This is a very colourful event and we are amazed by the festivities here,” said Cherry. The duo clicked pictures of idols that depicted Lord Ganesh in a myriad forms and also other gods such as Shiva, Krishna, Narasimha Swamy and Hanuman.

Children in full strength

Some autorickshaws were seen plying with children seated on top along with small idols, causing some concern for their safety. While big idols were taken in trucks, lorries, open top car, vans, some children were seen dragging small Ganesh idols placed on roller skates. A group of children came with a Ganesha placed in a replica of Red Fort.

Cynosure of all eyes

Like every year, the ‘Partham Parthi’ Ganesh idol from Rajanna Bowli came decked up with fruits and flowers. The beautifully decorated truck carrying the idol was decorated with all kinds of fruits available in the season and came painted in a golden hue.

Another truck carried a representation of film actor Balakrishna and the Ganesha idol too was seen moulded in the same pose.

Some pandal organisers joined the procession with camels and few others had tableaux of characters from Hindu mythology.

Of dance and bhajans

Large number of women participated in the procession. The Bhajans and ‘kolatam’ performed by women in the Hanuman Bowli procession and persons dressed up in different faiths and as Indian cricket team accompanying idol of Valmiki Samaj, Sultan Shahi stood out as special attractions.

Thousands line up

While the old city wore a festive look, thousands lined up along NTR Marg to catch a glimpse of the Ganesh idols in varying sizes and forms. Mukesh Khanna of Shaktiman fame was the chief guest this year at the platform erected by Bhagyanagar Ganesh Seva Samithi at MJ Market. Speakers referred to the recent twin bomb blasts at Lumbini Park and Gokul Chat and described the enthusiastic celebration of Ganesh Nimajjanam as intent of people to thwart the disruptive forces.

The emergence of Indian Cricket team as champions in the ICC World Cup Twenty 20 was described as a mark of resurgence of India.

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