Tirupati: Gears Up for Vinayaka Chavithi Festivities From Today
Around 413 immersions are expected on September 16, the third day, Srinivas said.
Tirupati: The temple city of Tirupati is gearing up for the Vinayaka Chavithi on Monday. Around 700 organisers have registered with the Varasiddhi Vinayaka Mahotsava Committee to install idols at different locations in the city.
There will be another 50 to 75 groups organising the celebrations, though without registration, according to committee convenor Samanchi Srinivas.
According to the guidelines issued by the Varasiddhi Vinayaka Mahotsava Committee, idols will be immersed on the first, third, and seventh days of the festival. Around 413 immersions are expected on September 16, the third day, Srinivas said.
As there is no water in Vinayaka Sagar for immersion, alternative arrangements have been made by filling a tank on the north-eastern side of the Vinayaka Sagar with Telugu Ganga water.
Sunday turned out to be a very busy day across Tirupati, as youngsters worked hard to complete erection of the pandals before the installation of idols on Monday morning. Children joined the festivities by visiting houses in their neighbourhoods and collecting donations for their own local celebrations.
Markets and commercial areas witnessed a heavy rush, as residents stepped out for last-minute purchases. Gandhi Road, Tilak Road, TUDA, and the old Corporation office surroundings, besides Rythu Bazar, remained crowded, with traffic jams increasing towards evening.
Temporary stalls selling puja material came up in several residential areas, while vendors from nearby villages occupied roadside spaces to sell festival items.
Clay Ganesha idols had high demand, though buyers said prices of idols are higher than last year.
Umbrellas priced between ₹50 and ₹200 remained in high demand, while flowers, fruits, and sugarcane commanded high prices.
Around 1,000 school students took part in a clay Ganesha-making programme organised by the Varasiddhi Vinayaka Mahotsava Committee.
The Parvathi Putra Paryavarana Mitra programme encouraged students to make idols of their own by using clay, instead of purchasing idols made from materials such as Plaster of Paris. Students took the idols they made to their homes.
Organisers presented plants and certificates to students whose idols looked impressive.