Police's guard of honour for Lord Ganesha

Mehsana, Sep 16 (UNI) The ten-day Ganesha festival began here with a 'guard of honour' by the state police to mark the occasion, continuing more than seven - decades - old tradition.

''After the state guard of honour, the Idol of Lord Ganesh was set up at the Mandap'', Mahant Ganeshdas of Sidhi Vinayak temple in Mehsana said adding that the. Cultural programmes would be held for the next nine days.

Mehsana is perhaps the only place in the country where Lord Ganesh gets guard of honour by the state police. According to old residents, the tradition was started in 1933 by the then Suba Agashe Sahib, and it continues till date.

However, in 2005 the tradition could not be observed as a result of which, the people had to suffer hardships due to torrential rains, floods and diseases, said Mahant Ganeshdas.

UNI