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The Ganesh Festival in Hyderabad witnessed a significant increase in the number of devotees choosing to immerse smaller idols in portable and baby ponds this year. This shift towards environmentally conscious practices can be attributed to awareness campaigns conducted before the festival and the active guidance provided by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC), disaster response force (DRF) members, and police stationed at the lakes.
According to GHMC officials, the number of immersions in portable ponds surged on the final day of the festival. For instance, a portable pond near Nizam College saw a threefold increase in immersions compared to last year, with over 350 idols being immersed. Similarly, the baby pond at NTR Marg also witnessed a higher number of immersions. Volunteers at the Exhibition Grounds reported a significant increase in immersions, surpassing 700 compared to around 500 last year.
The rising awareness and encouragement from authorities have led devotees to embrace the eco-friendly option of immersing smaller idols in designated ponds. This approach not only helps protect the city's lakes from pollution but also alleviates congestion and reduces the time spent waiting for immersion at the lakes. A final year BTech student who opted for immersion in a baby pond at Durgam Cheruvu shared his appreciation for the initiative, acknowledging its positive impact on both the environment and the ease of the immersion process.
However, some residents like Shanti Kiran, a volunteer at Kapra lake, highlighted the need to improve the infrastructure of baby ponds to accommodate larger idols. While smaller idols were successfully immersed in the ponds, she suggested increasing the depth of the ponds to facilitate the immersion of taller idols. This would further encourage the adoption of environmentally friendly practices by devotees, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable celebration of the festival.
The successful implementation of this initiative showcases the collective effort of the authorities, volunteers, and the public in promoting eco-friendly practices during religious festivals. The increased utilization of baby ponds reflects a growing awareness and commitment towards preserving the environment while maintaining the cultural significance of the Ganesh festival.
Source: Ganesh Festival: Portable And Baby Ponds In Hyderabad See More Immersions This Year