Andhra Pradesh gears up to celebrate Ganesha festival

Rajahmundry: Two tall idols of Hindu God - Lord Ganesha - 80 and 63 feet respectively will be installed at Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada in Andra Pradesh as the state gears up to celebrate the festival of the elephant god beginning September 17.

An 80-feet Ganesha idol will be installed at Gajuwaka in Visakahpatnam district- jointly by a Vizag-based group and Non-Resident Indians (NRI) of Visakhapatnam.

"For the first time this year we will install 80-feet idol of Lord Ganesha in the city," Visakha Integrated Social Welfare Association (VISWA) member Palla Ramana told PTI from USA.

"We have not collected any donations from anyone. Only voluntary donations are accepted. We are also helping Dundy Ganesh Samithi, Vijayawada to install a 63-feet Ganesh idol.

"CCTV cameras will be installed at various points. A vigil will be kept by police on movement of devotees," he said.

Another 63-feet tall Ganesha idol will be installed in Vijayawada by Dundy Ganesh Samithi, said Samithi chairman and industrialist K Satyanarayana.

"A laddu weighing 6,300 kg will be offered to Lord Ganesha. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu will offer prayers on the first day of the festival," Satyanarayana said.

Meanwhile, security has been stepped up in view of the upcoming festival at both these places.

Other cities and towns in the state are also gearing up to celebrate the 10-day-long festival in a grand manner.