Delhiites rejoice last day of Ganesh Utsav

Delhiites on Thursday celebrated in joyous mood and headed towards the 'ghats' on Yamuna river to immerse Ganesh idols on the last day of Ganesh Utsav.

The 10-day-long festival, which culminated with 'Ganesh Chaturdashi' on September 15, saw thousands of people heading out in colourful processions to the ghats as they danced and shouted "Ganpati Bappa Morya".

"Thousands of people, including women and kids, were on the roads leading to Yamuna. They were applying 'gulaal' on each other and dancing to loud music emanating from big music systems placed on trucks," Rahul K.C., a banker, told IANS.

The Outer Ring Road, along the Yamuna River, witnessed huge traffic as large number of people headed to various ghats to immerse Ganesh's idol. It is along the same road that most of the ghats are situated.

"The traffic was very slow. Youngsters would climb out of their trucks and start dancing on the roads, this created major traffic jams. People rode bikes without helmets but Traffic Police just watched," he added.

The Delhi Traffic Police had also issued an advisory keeping in mind the traffic jam so many revellers at once on the roads could cause.

According to the advisory issued, traffic arrangements had been done at several ghats -- Kudesia Ghat, Geeta Ghat, Hathi Ghat, Shyam Ghat, Geeta Colony Ghat, Mayur Vihar Extension Ghat and Kalindi Kunj Ghat.

It was also conveyed that commercial vehicles would not be allowed after 2 p.m. on crucial roads where a large number of devotees was expected.

"We have just reached Chandni Chowk, the procession is quite big, around 400-500 people. They are all dancing... we are going towards the ghat at Yamuna bazaar where the Ganesha will be immersed," Arya Gupta, president, Sarvajanik Ganeshotsava Samiti, told IANS.

Although, the festival is primarily celebrated in Maharashtra, of late, a huge number of people have started celebrating it in North India as well.

The last day of the festival begins with an 'aarti' at home and then 'prasad' of 'modak' (a traditional delicacy made of rice) is distributed among people before they head towards the ghats for the immersion of the idols, which vary in size.

--IANS

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