The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : City bids adieu to Ganesha amid bonhomie sidelights

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Monday, Sep 15, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

City bids adieu to Ganesha amid bonhomie sidelights

– Photos: Mohd Yousuf

Of brotherhood and devotion: (Clockwise from top left) Syed Amin, a cycle-rickshaw puller carrying an idol. Youths dancing their way to Hussainsagar. Idols of various sizes and shapes were part of the procession. Top police officials overseeing the security arrangements.

– Photos: Mohd Yousuf

– Photos: Mohd Yousuf

– Photos: Mohd Yousuf

• In view of the serial blasts that rocked New Delhi on Saturday, the Panchamuki Hanuman Temple Ganesh association came up with a novel way of spreading the message to fight against terrorism.

• Idols resembling common people from different religions were holding the Indian tricolour and placards saying “We are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs but we are Indians and we will stand together”.

• Chanting “Ganapati Bappa Moriya”, a 60-year-old Syed Amin participated in the immersion of a Ganesh idol with vigour. He also pulled a cycle-rickshaw carrying the idol from Shamshergunj to Hussainsagar.

A resident of Hasannagar, Mr. Amin has been taking part in the celebrations in old city for the last five years. “I am carrying the idol for immersion for the fifth consecutive year, and enjoy every bit of these celebrations,” says Amin. Spreading a message of love and peace, he appeals for brotherhood among different communities.

• Dressed in traditional attire, the Rajasthani Ganesh Utsav Samiti members from Gowlipura added a different dimension to the festivity. Clad in customary turbans and kurta pyjamas, the members danced to the pulsating drumbeats and drew the attention of revellers. Even the truck carrying the Ganesh idol was decked up with colourful duppatas and flowers, catching the attention of passersby.

• It was a simple Ganesh idol but attracted everyone on its way to the Tank Bund for immersion. Though not for the vehicle’s decoration but for the garland hanging on the idol. The garland was made with Rs. 100 denomination currency. The Siddhi Vinayaka Ganesh Utsav Samiti from Chandulal Bela claimed to have made the garland using a bundle of Rs. 100 currency notes.

• While bigger Ganeshas in the neighbourhoods travelled in bigger trucks, it was clearly children with their smaller idols and innovative ideas who stole the show. They danced merrily around their diminutive idols decked up in creative ways. Two children carried their Ganesha on a bicycle carrier in a gift carton. One side of the carton was cut open to allow a view of the idol. Few other children were seen pulling their idol placed in a wooden chamber on wheels.

• We know not whether Lord Ganesha was fond of martial arts, but he has certainly got a few fans among the fraternity. Navyuvak Ganesh Seva Mandal’s chariot had many saffron-clad pahilwans while martial arts experts performed atop the one from Yamaguchi Karate. Instead of dancing to the drum beats, a few devotees were seen performing the traditional ‘Karrasaamu’.

• Residents at Jambagh and Mojamjahi Market had their fill of pulihora and fruits and hankered for more. Women from the area said that they did not light their hearths in anticipation of the tasty offerings. A few pandals performed ‘Annadaanam’.

• A pandal at Dilsukhnagar blocked the idol from public view, only to entice people to come and perform special pujas.

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