Most awaited festival ganesh chaturthi !!!!!

Hyderabad, August 21:

The most awaited festival Ganesh Chaturdi has come. It's only couple of days to go. The main and the biggest ganesh idol is at khairatabad as usual. It is almost ready. Government need to take action on the security measures in the whole city. On Friday the designers giving final touch to the ganesh idol.

The history of Ganesh Chaturthi in the city dates back to 1942, when the first idol of Lord Ganesh was installed at Hindu Milan Temple in Gopipura. Gradually, Surtis began to celebrate the 10-day festival.

Two decades ago, around 2,000 Ganesh idols were worshipped during the festival in the city. In the last one decade, the number has increased and now touched 22,000-mark. Surat Ganesh Utsav Samiti, which was registered in 1985, has over 7.500 'mandals' registered with it. The mandals are given permits to take out procession on the last day of the festival for immersion of the idols in river Tapi.

"Surat is the only city in Gujarat to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi on such a grand scale. Small and big pandals are set up in residential societies and the festival has immense religious significance for the devouts. You may find more than three Ganesh idols in the same residential society," said Anil Biscuitwala, secretary, Surat Ganesh Utsav Samiti.

Asked about the money spent on the festival, Biscuitwala said, "Surtis spend about Rs150 crore during the 10-day festival, including the amount incurred on purchasing Ganesh idols and in setting up water-proof pandals among other things."