Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began across Telangana on Monday with religious fervour, devotion and gaiety, as thousands of devotees installed Lord Ganesha idols at homes, temples and specially erected pandals across the state.
The celebrations began on a grand note in Hyderabad with Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla offering prayers at the famous Khairatabad Ganesh. The Governor, accompanied by his wife Janaki Shukla, performed the first puja to the 69-foot Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati at Khairatabad.
State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, local MLA D. Nagender and members of the organising committee welcomed the Governor. Minister Ponnam Prabhakar also offered pattu vastralu (silk robes) to the Khairatabad Ganesh, popularly known as Bada Ganesh.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla said that although the Ganesh festival originated in Maharashtra, the Khairatabad Ganesh has earned a special place and significance across the country. He noted that the organisers have been installing the idol for 72 years and prayed for the well-being, prosperity and happiness of the people.
The Khairatabad Ganesh idol, which is designed in a different form every year, attracted devotees from Hyderabad as well as neighbouring districts. Large crowds gathered from the morning to offer prayers.
The police made elaborate security arrangements around Khairatabad and imposed traffic restrictions in the surrounding areas to ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy extended Ganesh Chaturthi greetings to the people of Telangana. He offered prayers to Lord Vigneshwara and sought blessings for the removal of obstacles from people’s lives, along with happiness, prosperity and good health.
The Chief Minister appealed to people to celebrate the festival with devotion and urged devotees to maintain peace and discipline at Ganesh pandals. He also directed the police and officials to ensure smooth traffic movement in Hyderabad and district headquarters during the festive season.
Officials were instructed to take necessary precautions at major pandals, particularly in view of the large crowds expected during the celebrations. Revanth Reddy also recalled that the state government is providing free electricity to Ganesh pandals this year as well.
Across Telangana, thousands of idols were installed in towns and villages, while markets witnessed brisk activity as devotees purchased Ganesha idols, flowers, decorations and puja materials. Large idols were transported on trucks to various parts of Greater Hyderabad and other districts.
Devotees performed special pujas at homes, temples and pandals from Monday morning. However, rainfall reported in several parts of Telangana since Sunday night affected the festive atmosphere in some areas.
The Ganesh Chaturthi festivities will culminate in Hyderabad with the massive immersion procession on September 25. Hundreds of idols are expected to be immersed in Hussain Sagar and other lakes in and around the state capital.
