THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Over a thousand idols from 70 centres across the capital were immersed during the climax of Ganeshotsava on Monday. The main procession reached Pazhavangadi Ganapathi temple in the afternoon from places as far as Thirumala, Kaudiar, Vazhuthacaud, Pattom Thiruvallam. A sacred kiln was set up at Shangumugham beach as a part of the ‘sarva vigna nivarana yagnam’ earlier in the morning.
MP Shashi Tharoor and MLA V.S. Sivakumar headed the inauguration of the rally at East Fort. “Since there were heavy rains from early in the morning, idols had to be kept covered at various junctions to avoid the smudging of colour. Later in the afternoon, we could take out the covers,” said R Radhakrishnan, a devotee from Attukal. The cultural procession featured an array of dance forms and all popular types of percussions including Nashik dhol and chenda melam.
Smaller idols had joined the rally at major intersections like Enchakkal. “We ensured that the maximum number of idols was made from environment friendly materials like clay, chalk powder and coconut husk,” a volunteer said. Around eight avatars of lord Ganesha in different get up were on display at the procession before being immersed at Shangumugham.
