Music and dance mark the end of Ganesh festival
Pune, Sept 5(Agencies): Dancing to the beat of music played on loudspeakers, thousands of people thronged the streets to bid adieu to Lord Ganesh.
In spite of a downpour in the afternoon, a sea of humanity flooded Laxmi Road, Kumthekar Road and Shastri Road towards evening to bring the 12-day festivity to a close.
From Thursday evening to Friday dawn, the city reverberated with music, though the celebration was a little toned down compared to last year.
The swine flu pandemic had forced the mandals and devotees to celebrate the Ganesh festival with less pomp and spectacle this year, but people's fervour and enthusiasm were unaffected.
Youngsters continued to be a part of the procession taken out to immerse Ganesh idols.
Compared to the past, the celebration was toned down by most of the Ganesh mandals.
Most of them chose to be a part of the procession in an unadorned and noiseless way.
As compared to previous years, there were few loudspeakers and less amount of gulal.
A number of mandals preferred to go ahead with the dhol-tasha bands.
Earlier during the week, Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar had called a meeting of Ganesh mandals and all party leaders asking them to wrap up the procession fast this year to keep a check on the spread of the H1N1 virus.
The Ganesh mandals too had consented to cooperate with the administration and agreed to finish the immersion procession within 12 hours, but it took over 24 hours, which is just a few hours less than that of last year.
Despite being instructed to keep away from crowds, a large number of people joined the procession towards midnight.
In spite of Pune being the epicentre of swine flu, only a few people preferred to use masks or handkerchief to cover their mouth.
Members of the city-based Rashtriya Kala Akademi Nyas had decorated Laxmi Road and other routes with colourful rangoli for the procession.
One could also notice messages about ways to prevent swine flu.
Members of Patanjali Yog Samiti demonstrated yogasana during the entire procession, informing how it would help keep away H1N1 virus.
The Pune Municipal Corporation said there was less trash littered on the streets this year.
While last year it filled seven containers, this year it was less than two containers.
With the announcement of state Assembly polls, leaders also made themselves visible at the processions.
Legislators Girish Bapat of BJP, Balasaheb Shivarkar and Mohan Joshi of Congress participated in the immersion procession of Kasba Ganpati.
The politicians along with Mayor later positioned themselves at Alka Talkies chowk, but outside the pandal of the civic body due to code of conduct coming into existence.
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