Governor Tamilisai performs first puja to Khairatabad Ganesh

HYDERABAD: Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began with religious fervour and gaiety across Telangana on Wednesday. Ganesh idols were installed and puja performed at pandals that were visible at every nook and corner. The Khairatabad idol, very popular with devotees who flock to it to catch a glimpse of its huge size, was also installed on Wednesday.

Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav, MLA and Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samithi president Danam Nagender, vice-president Nagesh attended the first puja ceremony of the deity held at 9.30 am. The priests who accorded a warm welcome to the governor, also offered her prasadam on this auspicious occasion. Tamilisai prayed to the Lord, seeking his divine blessings for the welfare and prosperity of the people of the state on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

This year, the Khairatabad Ganesh idol was set up in the form of Panchamukha Mahalakshmi with a height of 50 feet and made of clay. The idol also features Sri Shanmuka Subrahmanya Swamy on the right and Sri Trishakti Mahagayatri Devi on the left. Organisers claim that the Khairatabad Ganesh idol was made at a cost of Rs 1.50 crore.

With a steady stream of devotees beginning already on the first day, police have beefed up security and imposed traffic restrictions in the Khairatabad area. However, there was commotion for a brief while after some people displayed placards in support of suspended BJP MLA Raja Singh who is currently lodged at Cherlapalli jail serving remand period.

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya also offered prayers to the Khairabad Ganesh on the occasion of Ganesh Chathurthi. He also visited the pandal at the Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi office in Baheti Bhavan of Siddiamber Bazar and offered his prayers there.

On the other hand, markets were bustling with activity with people coming out to purchase Vinayaka idols, flowers, fruits, puja materials and other items. Government departments and voluntary organisations like HMDA and GHMC have already distributed lakhs of clay idols to devotees free of cost, to raise general awareness.