Hyderabad, Sep 6 (PTI) The immersion of Lord Ganesh idols, marking the conclusion of the 11-day-long Vinayaka Chaviti festivities, was underway in the city and across the state on Saturday.
The 69-ft tall Ganesh idol of the famous pandal at Khairatabad here was immersed in Hussain Sagar lake in the afternoon.
The 'laddu' at the famous pandal at Balapur here was auctioned for Rs 35 lakh. Last year it fetched Rs 30.01 lakh.
As per media reports, the 'laddu prasadam' at a Ganesh pandal in a residential community at Bandlaguda fetched a whopping Rs 2.32 crore, which was obtained collectively by all residents.
Ganesh idols were being immersed in Hussain Sagar and at other waterbodies and authorities made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of processions on the final day of immersion.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made in and around Hyderabad with multiple departments coordinating to manage the immersion, officials added.
Nearly 50,000 idols are expected to be immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake alone, and the process is expected to continue for about 40 hours.
Already, the immersion process is going on across the state for the past few days.
Strong security measures have been put in place to prevent any untoward incidents. A total of 29,000 police personnel will be on duty in shifts, police said.
Nearly 15,000 sanitation workers would work in three shifts (24x7) in Hyderabad to maintain cleanliness during the event, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) said.
Rachakonda Police here earlier said that about 20,000 idols are expected to be immersed in various lakes and tanks across the area on Saturday. Around 12,000 police will be deployed to manage the immersion, they said.
The idol immersion would take place at 20 major lakes along with 72 specially created artificial ponds to ease traffic and reduce pressure on natural water bodies, the GHMC said.
It said 134 static cranes and 259 mobile cranes, including a 'Bahubali' (giant-sized) crane, have been positioned at key immersion points.
At the Hussain Sagar lake, nine boats, DRF (Disaster Response Force) teams, and 200 swimmers are stationed to prevent untoward incidents.
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began with devotional fervour and gaiety across Telangana on August 27.
Lakhs of Lord Ganesha idols in various sizes and forms have been installed for worship in Hyderabad and all other towns and villages in the state.