Visakhapatnam’s Ganesh pandals: one crore bangles, a Bhogapuram airport replica and ‘Peddi’

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A man photographs his son with a Ganesh idol styled as Lord Ayyappa in Visakhapatnam on Monday. | Photo Credit: V. Raju

Visakhapatnam spent Vinayaka Chavithi the way it always does, at home in the morning and out on the roads by evening, walking from pandal to pandal. This year the pandals gave it plenty to walk to: a Ganesha of one crore bangles in Gajuwaka, one of a crore Rudraksha beads at China Waltair, one that dances, one styled after the film ‘Peddi’, and one that has arrived, on cue, as the new airport at Bhogapuram.

A Ganesh idol adorned with one crore Rudraksha beads at China Waltair in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

People performed special rituals and offered prayers to Lord Ganesha with devotion and enthusiasm. Families dressed in traditional attire, prepared a variety of festive dishes and offered them to the deity. Undrallu, kudumulu, modakalu, pulihora, garelu and payasam were among the traditional Telugu preparations offered at many homes. Pictures and festive greetings were exchanged on social media, adding a contemporary touch to the celebrations.

Residential apartments and gated communities organised special programmes and cultural events, and residents came together to celebrate the festival.

A dancing Ganesh idol at China Waltair in Visakhapatnam on Sunday. | Photo Credit: K.R. Deepak

Streets across the city wore a festive look with colourful decorations, lighting and music, while small and elaborate Ganesh pandals attracted devotees throughout the day and into the night.

Several prominent pandals became major attractions, drawing large crowds from different parts of the city. A large Ganesh idol made using one crore bangles at Sri Nagar in Gajuwaka and an idol adorned with one crore Rudraksha beads at China Waltair were among them. A dancing Ganesh idol at China Waltair also drew considerable attention, and idols made of dates at Sheela Nagar and of cashew nuts at Gajuwaka drew crowds of their own.

A Ganesh pandal modelled on the King George Hospital, set up by Kingfisher Friends at Chengalraopeta in One Town, Visakhapatnam. | Photo Credit: V. Raju

The city also saw a wide variety of innovative and theme-based idols and pandals. Several in One Town were inspired by landmarks and religious figures, including the King George Hospital at Chengalraopeta, the Sabarimala Ayyappa Swamy temple on Beach Road, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj at Kota Veedhi and Kalabhairava Swamy in One Town.

Popular Telugu films also became a source of inspiration. Themes based on ‘Paradise’, ‘The Raja Saab’, ‘Youth’, ‘Peddi’ and ‘OG’ were showcased at different locations, blending popular cinema with the traditional festival.

A Ganesh pandal themed on the Telugu film ‘Peddi’ in Visakhapatnam on Monday. | Photo Credit: V.Raju

Another pandal that generated considerable interest, particularly on social media, was a replica of the recently inaugurated Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, near Cheepurupalli Uppada in the Bheemunipatnam area.