Dhol beats, DJ music, film hits and devotional songs set the rhythm for Ganesha immersion in Hyderabad on Friday, as thousands of devotees accompanied idols to immersion points across the city.

DJs and powerful speaker systems accompanied several processions despite restrictions by the Hyderabad police on high-powered music systems. They were used during the 12-day festivities, including at prominent pandals such as the Khairatabad Ganesh.

Songs from the newly released movie Paradise, including Yesha Nagula Katta and Aaya Sher, were popular, with groups of youngsters dancing to the beats. Ganesha devotional songs were also played along procession routes.

But the dhol bands, the more frequent and continual sound system for Ganesha idol processions, was still the go-to musical approach for hundreds of devotees and organisers. From Maharashtra-rooted dhols to pad bands, devotees grooved to the beats of drums across the city.

Military personnel, politicians, police personnel, sanitation workers, college students and passers-by joined the celebrations. Khairatabad DCP K. Shilpavalli, former MLA Danam Nagender, senior Congress leader V. Hanumantha Rao and a group of police personnel danced to songs at NTR Marg.

College students, passersby and others too joined them and enjoyed the festive vibe of Hyderabad’s Ganesh Nimmajanam. “Volunteering at the Khairatabad Ganesh immersion was a challenging yet memorable experience, from managing huge crowds to coordinating with the police,” said B. Siddhartha at Tank Bund. “Dancing was the best part,” he added.

Another volunteer said the long hours were tiring but helping devotees and assisting with the arrangements brought satisfaction. “Despite the exhaustion and sore legs, witnessing the vibe and coordination with cops made it a valuable experience that taught us teamwork, patience and public service,” he said.

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