Festive fervour grips Visakhapatnam ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi
Visakhapatnam is gearing up for Ganesh Chaturthi, with households and community groups preparing to welcome Lord Ganesha amid religious fervour. Colourful decorations, devotional programmes and festive gatherings are expected to add vibrancy to neighbourhoods across the city.
Local markets are already packed with shoppers buying puja paraphernalia, including flowers, fruits, coconuts, turmeric, kumkum, lamps, incense sticks and other offerings. Vendors are reporting increased demand as families make their final preparations for the festival.
“Shoppers have started arriving in large numbers to buy puja items. The rush is expected to increase further as the festival approaches,” said a vendor at a local market.
Ganesh Chaturthi, marking the birth of Lord Ganesha, will be celebrated on September 14. Devotees will install idols, offer special prayers and organise community events before immersing the idols on designated days.
With public celebrations attracting large gatherings, traffic management, sanitation and crowd control are likely to remain key concerns.
Environmental concerns surrounding idol immersion have renewed calls for sustainable festivities. Devotees are being encouraged to opt for clay idols, natural colours and reusable decorations.
“Celebrations should go hand in hand with environmental responsibility. Choosing eco-friendly idols and avoiding plastic and thermocol can make a difference,” said an environmental campaigner.
Plaster of Paris idols and chemical-based paints can pollute water bodies, while non-biodegradable decorations add to post-festival waste. In coastal Visakhapatnam, responsible immersion practices will be particularly important.
“Proper planning and cooperation from organisers and devotees are essential for safe and orderly celebrations,” said a community organiser.
The festive buzz is already visible in Visakhapatnam’s markets and neighbourhoods as the city prepares to welcome Lord Ganesha. Residents are looking forward to celebrating the festival with faith, enthusiasm and civic responsibility.