FOCUS ON ECO-FRIENDLY IMMERSIONS AS HYDERABAD PREPARES FOR THE GRAND FAREWELL
As the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival comes to an end, Hyderabad is preparing for the grand Ganesh Visarjan on September 17, 2024. This year, the focus is on making the immersions eco-friendly, with the city taking steps to reduce the environmental impact of the event.
Ganesh Visarjan in 2024 falls on Anant Chaturdashi, a day considered very auspicious for saying goodbye to Lord Ganesha. While the festival is filled with spiritual energy, officials and environmentalists are asking people to be more responsible when performing the immersion. They are encouraging the use of clay idols and natural materials to prevent pollution of water bodies, which has been a problem in previous years.
Authorities Call for Safe and Sustainable Immersions
The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has created special immersion points at various lakes and artificial ponds to make the process easier and safer. They have also provided guidelines to ensure that the immersions are done in an orderly and eco-friendly way. Additionally, GHMC teams will monitor the immersion sites to keep them clean after the event.
Officials are asking people not to use idols made from harmful materials like plaster of Paris, which can pollute water bodies. Instead, they are promoting biodegradable and eco-friendly idols. A senior GHMC official said, “This year, our goal is not only to celebrate the festival but also to protect the environment.”
Auspicious Timings for the Immersion
The most favorable time for Ganesh Visarjan is between 1:30 PM and 3:00 PM on September 17. However, devotees can choose to perform the immersion at any time throughout the day based on their convenience. Large crowds are expected at major immersion sites like Hussain Sagar Lake, where special arrangements are being made to manage traffic and the flow of devotees.
With growing awareness about protecting the environment, this year’s Ganesh Visarjan aims to combine tradition with eco-friendly practices. The city is preparing for a grand but responsible farewell to Lord Ganesha.
