Heavy rain in several parts of the city delayed the immersion of thousands of Ganesh idols at the end of 10-day long Ganesh Chaturdhi festival today.
"(Due to rain) immersion processions are going on slowly compared to what we expected. The main procession itself started late. It may continue up to tomorrow afternoon," M T Krishna Babu, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner, told PTI.
About 60,000 Ganesh idols of various sizes were to be immersed in the Hussain Sagar lake, the major water body in the city, and about 20 other lakes in the other parts of Hyderabad and its suburbs.
As the police imposed traffic restrictions for immersion processions, thousands of Ganesh idols of various sizes, hues and forms moved up to Hussain Sagar for immersion in vehicles like trucks and vans. Chants of 'Ganesh Maharaj ki Jai' filled the air as the procession marched ahead.
About one million people were expected to participate in these processions.
GHMC and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) have made elaborate arrangements for the immersion that began this morning.
Nearly 4,000 sanitation workers, 120 cranes and special vehicles like front-loaders were being used for immersion. About 80 swimmers and divers with life-saving jackets have also been deployed.
The 'laddus' offered as prasadam to the deities were auctioned at different pandals, which went under hammer at whopping sums.
