Mysuru: The mass immersion of Ganesha idols, installed at various places across the city, was held under the aegis of Mysuru Nagara Samoohika Vinayaka Visarjana Mandali here yesterday.

The idols were taken for immersion in more than 50 decorated vehicles from Veeraganapati Temple in Veeranagere. The vehicles, accompanied by a host of folk troupes including Kamsale, Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase etc., passed through Ashoka Road to reach Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple at the North Gate of the Palace, from where they continued their journey passing through Gandhi Square, D. Devaraj Urs Road, N.S. Road, Gun House and Bengaluru Road to reach Srirangapatna, where the idols were immersed in river. More than 2,000 people took part in the grand procession, chanting slogans such as ‘Jai Ganesha.’

Speaking at the stage programme held in front of Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple, Hindu Jagarana Vedike Pranta Sanchalak K.T. Ullas said that it was Bal Gangadhar Tilak who called for widespread Ganesh Chaturti celebrations in order to create patriotic fervour among the citizens.

Pointing out that Ganesha Festival unites the society and people from different cultural backgrounds, he said that the celebrations will further strengthen the bonds of friendship.

Lashing out at the Congress Government’s minority appeasement, Ullas highlighted the need for greater efforts to  organise Hindus.

Mandali President M. Narayanappa, Convenor Muralidhar, Ganesh Swaroopananda Swamiji and others were present.

Immersion of idols banned  in Cauvery till Sept. 9

The Mandya District Administration has banned the immersion of Ganesha idols in Cauvery River at Srirangapatna till  Sept. 9, on account of whirlpools and deep pits formed on the riverbed of the Cauvery and huge quantum of water being discharged from KRS.

Bathing ghats and some other places near Ganjam in Srirangapatna are considered ideal places to immerse gigantic Ganesha idols. Festival organisers from different parts of Mysuru and  Mandya districts every year choose these places to immerse the idols. As the river is brimming with water for the past two weeks, a ban on the immersion of idols has been imposed.

According to officials, venturing into the river is extremely dangerous because of deep pits and whirlpools. Dozens of drowning cases have been reported in the previous years, they said and added that swimming at these places has already been banned and warning boards have been erected.