HYDERABAD, INDIA, September 26, 2007: The majestic procession of Ganesh Nimajjanam, with thousands of Deities of all sizes from old city to Hussainsagar, was marked with devotion, fervor, camaraderie and innovation. But, not to be missed was also the palpable feeling of unease and unspoken fear of the unknown early in the day, on Tuesday. The unprecedented presence of police and tightest-ever security measures ensured that there were no untoward incidents anywhere. Compared to the last few years, people’s participation was visibly thinner this year, though the spirit and mood remained enthusiastic. The only cause of concern was the two-hour delay in starting the procession. The Balapur Ganesh Deity, the first one to lead the procession failed to move until well past 11 a.m. unlike the usual time before 9 a.m. The procession picked up some momentum by about 2 p.m. sending clear signals that it would be beyond 6 p.m. by the time all deities joined the procession.
The deployment of about 7,000 policemen in the old city procession routes out of the 15,000 drafted for the purpose, in the backdrop of a city recovering from the shock of twin bomb blasts, only accentuated the unprecedented security measures in place this year. Though the police, like the public, were worried before the procession started in the morning, normal festivities took over as the day progressed with youth dancing to drumbeats, bhajans and slogans of “Ganapati Bapa Moriya,” filling the air.