The immersion of Lord Ganesh idols, signaling the end of the 11-day Vinayaka Chaviti celebrations, commenced across Hyderabad and Telangana on Saturday, with thousands of devotees participating in processions and rituals. The iconic 69-ft tall idol from Khairatabad pandal was immersed in Hussain Sagar lake in the afternoon, drawing large crowds.

Highlights included the auction of the famous Balapur laddu prasadam for Rs 35 lakh, up from Rs 30.01 lakh last year. In a unique collective effort, residents of a Bandlaguda community bid Rs 2.32 crore for their pandal's laddu, as per media reports.

Authorities anticipated around 50,000 immersions in Hussain Sagar alone, with the process expected to span 40 hours. Statewide immersions have been ongoing for days, utilizing 20 major lakes and 72 artificial ponds to minimize environmental impact and traffic congestion. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) deployed 134 static and 259 mobile cranes, including a giant 'Bahubali' crane, alongside nine boats, Disaster Response Force teams, and 200 swimmers at Hussain Sagar for safety.

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Security was ramped up with 29,000 police personnel in shifts statewide, including 12,000 in Rachakonda for an estimated 20,000 idols. Nearly 15,000 sanitation workers operated 24/7 in Hyderabad to maintain cleanliness.

The festivities, which began with fervor on August 27, saw lakhs of idols installed across the state, reflecting Telangana's vibrant cultural traditions. Officials reported no major incidents, crediting coordinated efforts among departments for the smooth conduct.

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