Rain fails to dampen Ganesh festival spirit

Nalla Ram Babu / Sep 09, 2024, 04:18 IST

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Rain fails to dampen Ganesh festival spirit

Visakhapatnam: Incessant rain could not dampen the spirit of Ganesh devotees who actively took part in Ganesh Chaturthi navaratri mahotsav which began on Saturday. As many as 72,496 Ganesh pandals were set up at various places of Andhra Pradesh, including over 4,000 Ganesh pandals in Vizag city.The 75-foot tall Ganesh idol made of jaggery lumps from Rajasthan at Kotta Nakkavanipalem near Gajuwaka bus depot, the 89-foot Ganesh idol (Sri Maha Uchchistha Ganapati rupam) at Sri Nagar of Gajuwaka and the Bala Ganapati idol at the Ayodhya Ram Temple set in MVP Colony Double Road, Vizag attracted thousands of devotees this year.

The number of Ganesh pandals in Vizag city increased by over 200 percent in 2024 when compared to 2023. In 2018, a total of 1,840 Ganesh pandals were erected in Vizag city and the number of pandals increased to 2,500 in 2019. Covid-19 hit the Ganesh festival hard in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, Vizag city police gave permission to set up 1,250 pandals and the number of pandals increased to 1,290 in 2023.Speaking to TOI, Joint Commissioner of Police (Vizag), Dr Fakkerappa K, said: “Vizag city has witnessed rise in number of Ganesh pandals this year as around 4,100 Ganesh pandals were set up across the city.”

The police asked organizers of big Ganesh pandals to take all precautionary measures citing that heavy rains and gales may damage the pandals in Vizag city. The police urged the devotees to stay indoors for a few days. Despite continuous rainfall on Saturday, a large number of devotees participated in the Ganesh festival across Vizag city, said T Anil Kumar, a Ganesh Pandal organizer said. Devotees were determined to get a glimpse of their favorite deity and seemed unfazed by the weather. They turned up in large numbers to seek the blessings of the diety, he added.As Ganesh festivities go for eight more days, the city police chief has deployed police personnel at various Ganesh immersion points in the city to prevent any untoward incidents. We also published the following articles recently

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CCTV at ganesh pandal sites; ensure cleanliness: Admin
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Puja, pandals and more: Maha celebrations in store as Lord Ganesh comes to the town
Delhi prepares for Ganesh Chaturthi with themes like Developed India 2047 at Laxmi Nagar and a replica of Mumbai's Lalbaugcha Raja in Burari. Events include cultural programs, health check-ups, and eco-friendly immersions. Traditional Maharashtrian cuisine will be served across various locations, enhancing the festive spirit.

About the AuthorNalla Ram Babu

Nalla Ram Babu is a Special Correspondent, at the Times of India-Visakhapatnam. He reports on crime, rural development, road transport, Indian Navy, sea food industry, weather, research in agriculture, legal, civic issues and data-driven stories. He holds postgraduate degree in journalism & mass communication.

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