Hyderabad: The ceremonies for immersion of Ganesh idols are progressing peacefully and smoothly on Wednesday in the Andhra Pradesh capital, where lakhs of devotees are thronging the streets to bid adieu to the elephant-headed Hindu god, amid massive security.
Over 20,000 policemen and personnel from paramilitary forces were deployed in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad, and the adjacent Cyberabad police commissionerate limits, to maintain peace during the annual procession, which marks the culmination of the 10-day Ganesh festival.
Hundreds of idols started reaching Hussain Sagar Lake in the heart of the city for immersion since morning. Thousands of idols were still on their way, post noon, to Hussain Sagar and 23 other lakes in and around the city.
A police official said the immersions would continue till Thursday morning. About 60,000 idols would be immersed, majority of them in Hussain Sagar. Workers of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) were seen removing debris and puja material to prevent pollution of the lake.
Armed policemen were keeping a tight vigil over the mammoth procession, which passes through the communally sensitive old city. The afternoon prayers at the historic Mecca Masjid passed off peacefully.
