Ganesha idol processions across city; mass immersion at Srirangapatna

Mysuru: Days after Ganesha festival, the city  was witness to a grand mass Ganesha idol procession yesterday, amidst pomp and gaiety, shouting of chants and slogans hailing the deity. This was the 23rd year of mass Ganesha immersion in the city.

The rituals began with priest Prahlad Rao offering pujas to all the idols which were arranged in a systematic manner after being brought from different parts of the city, at Veera Ganapathi Temple on Ashoka Road passing through Veeranagere.

Sriram Sena Leader Pramod Muthalik launched the procession in the presence of MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, former MP Prathap Simha, MLAs T.S. Srivatsa and G.D. Harish Gowda, City BJP President L. Nagendra, RSS leader Ananthakrishna, former MLC Siddaraju, BJP leader Ravishankar and others.

Ganesha mandals  from different parts of the city had brought their installed idols after a 6-day worship since Ganesha festival on Sept. 14, in different types of vehicles which chiefly included autos, goods vehicles and tractors. As soon as the procession was launched, one vehicle after the other moved in a systematic manner to the performance of folk teams and cultural troupes, followed by thousands of devotees.

Former Corporator Suhail Baig and other Muslim brethren distributing water & butter milk to MP Yaduveer Wadiyar, MLA G.D. Harish Gowda, City BJP President L. Nagendra, former Mayor Sandesh Swamy and others during the procession.

The procession passed through Milad Bagh Circle, Ashoka Circle, Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, K.R. Circle, D. Devaraj Urs Road, N.S. Road, Chamaraja Double Road, Basaveshwara Circle and Gun House Circle. Later, the idols were taken to Paschimavahini in Srirangapatna taluk where they were immersed.

What was more interesting to note is that some of the youths taking part in the procession, carried photographs of Prime Minister Modi and UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. They also raised slogans hailing the two leaders. Another interesting aspect was that some of the idol immersion vehicles carried Photos of Chhatrapati Shivaji.

Former MP Prathap Simha acknowledging the passersby along the procession route.

Muslims distribute water, butter milk

In a display of communal harmony and goodwill, Muslims distributed water and butter milk to the devotees as the procession passed through in front of the Masjid on Ashoka Road. MP Yaduveer, City BJP President L. Nagendra and former MP Prathap Simha too were among those in the procession who received water and butter milk.

Elaborate security arrangements

The Police had made elaborate security arrangements throughout the route of the procession. The Police had deployed KSRP and CAR platoons near the Masjid and Milad Bagh on Ashoka Road. Vehicular traffic on some stretches of the procession route was diverted for a few hours. Police personnel were deployed for every vehicle.

All shops and commercial establishments located on the stretch from Veeranagere on Ashoka Road to Silver Jubilee Clock Tower (Dodda Gadiyara) were shut down.

City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, DCPs Dr. Harsha Priyamavada and K.S. Sundar Raj monitored the security arrangements.