Visakhapatnam's Ganesh pandals dazzle with one crore bangles, dancing idol, airport replica

Trained swimmers carried Ganesh idols into rough seas as devotees stood back from the waterline, a precautionary measure enforced while high tide conditions prevailed during the immersion phase of Vinayaka Chavithi in Visakhapatnam.

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.

Traditional Celebrations and Festive Preparations

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. 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.

Record-Breaking Idols and Unique Materials

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. The city also saw a wide variety of innovative and theme-based idols and pandals.

Landmarks, Religious Figures and Film Themes

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.

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.

Heavy Footfall and Traffic Congestion

With several prominent pandals becoming destinations for festive outings, people thronged the streets to see the idols. The heavy movement of people and vehicles led to traffic congestion at several junctions. Beach Road, in particular, saw a large turnout as the three-day holiday period drew to a close.

Immersion Process and Safety Measures

From Monday (September 14, 2026) evening, devotees began bringing home-worshipped Ganesh idols to RK Beach and other designated immersion points. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) deployed sanitation personnel at major beaches, including RK Beach, Jodugullapalem, Bheemunipatnam and Rushikonda. They collected puja leftovers such as flowers, leaves and other ritual materials to prevent them from accumulating along the shoreline.

As the sea remained rough and high tide conditions prevailed, people were not allowed to enter the water. The idols were taken into the sea by trained swimmers and community guards, while devotees were kept away as a precautionary measure. The immersion continued on Tuesday morning.

By then, plaster of Paris idols from the night's immersions had washed ashore at Lawson's Bay, as they do every year.

Source: The Hindu