Ganesh Chaturthi celebrated with fervour in country

New Delhi, Aug 27 (UNI) Ganesh Chaturthi was today celebrated with religious fervour and traditional enthusiasm all over the country with the idols of the Lord being installed in various pandals and mandals amid tight security arrangements.

Forty houses were gutted in a fire which broke out in a colony while performing pooja on the occasion of Vinayaka Chadurthi festival in Prakasham district of Andhra Pradesh.

In Mumbai, the Ganeshotsav festivities began amid religious fervour and gaiety with the ''arrival'' of the deity in households as well as public mandals.

There are more than 150 big 'Sarvajanik Mandals' in the city and its suburbs. These mandals will display the idols of Lord Ganesh for public viewing for 10 days and there upon immerse it while households and devotees would immerse the idol after one-and-half day or five days.

The city police is on high alert to avert any possible eventuality. Four 'Close Circuit Television'(CCTV) mobile vans have been deployed to keep a close vigil on the festivities.

According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Arup Patnaik, dog squads have been increased from five to 15 for larger surveillance. In addition, six companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), three companies of Rapid Action Force (RAF) and 12 companies of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) have been pressed into service to assist the security arrangements.

However, traffic remained normal and minimal with no major deviations or disruptions, said police sources said.

In Pune, Lord Ganesh was installed at various 'sarvajanik mandals' and homes amid chants of ''Ganapati Bappa Morya'' in an atmosphere of gaiety and religious fervour.

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