29 September,2023 03:12 PM IST | Latur | mid-day online correspondent
Ganapati Visarjan/ Pic/Pradeep Dhivar
In the city of Latur, Maharashtra, amidst relentless downpours, devotees came together to bid a heartfelt adieu to Lord Ganesh as the 10-day-long festival dedicated to the revered elephant-headed deity reached its conclusion, stated a PTI report.
The festival, which commenced with 'Ganesh Chaturthi' celebrations on September 19, culminated on 'Anant Chaturdashi' on Thursday. The day marked the immersion of idols of Lord Ganesh, prominently installed by households and 'sarvajanik mandals' (public pandals) throughout the city.
According to the report, early on Thursday morning, vibrant processions for the immersion of these idols began, with a significant turnout of enthusiastic participants. Amid the rhythmic beats of drums and the resonating chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Morya, Pudhchya Varshi Lavkar Ya' (come soon next year, Lord), the spirit of the festival filled the air.
As the day unfolded, heavy rains began to pour over the city around 2 pm, continuing until approximately 6 pm. However, the unrelenting downpours did little to deter the determination of the devoted participants, and the processions persevered despite the adverse weather conditions.
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The streets were teeming with people eager to catch a glimpse of the beautifully adorned idols from popular Ganesh mandals, including Bappa Ganesh Mandal, Shri Ausa Hanuman Ganesh Mandal, Vishwacha Raja, and Laturcha Raja Ganpati, the report added.
The idols found their final resting place in various water bodies, including a lake near the revered Shri Siddheshwar temple, dispersed across the city. To ensure the safety and security of the festivities, a significant contingent of police personnel was deployed, ensuring that the immersion proceeded without any untoward incidents.
Exactly three decades ago, a day after Anant Chaturdashi, the city witnessed a devastating earthquake of 6.4 magnitude. The earthquake left a trail of destruction, decimating approximately 52 villages in the Latur-Osmanabad region, resulting in the loss of nearly 10,000 lives and injuries to thousands more. Despite the heartbreaking memory associated with this date, the spirit and resilience of the people of Latur shine through as they continue to celebrate their cultural heritage and devotion to Lord Ganesh, undeterred by the elements. The devotion and enthusiasm displayed during the festival highlight the enduring spirit of unity and reverence that characterises the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations in Maharashtra.
