Hyderabad, Sept.15 (NSS): Former minister Harish Rao today visited the Saptamukha Mahashakti Ganapati at Khairatabad here as part of Vinayaka Navratri celebrations. He performed special puja on the occasion.
Earlier, the organizers of the Ganesh Utsav Samiti gave a grand welcome to Harish Rao. A large number of devotees thronged Khairatabad to pay obeisance to 70ft tall Lord Ganesha.
Speaking on the occasion, Harish Rao said Indian culture was very rich and added that this culture should be passed onto future generations. “Our Khairatabad Vinayaka is famous in the world. Once upon a time Vinayaka Chaturthi was reminiscent of Mumbai. But now, the whole country is praising the saying Khairatabad Ganesh. The organizers of our Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee have the credit of making the world’s largest Ganesh idol. “If we do a small puja at home, we have to face a lot of difficulties. But for the last 70 years, the Ganesh idol has been installed on such a large scale and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of the organisers of Khairatabad committee,” he said. He said they have a culture of unity and diversity in the State and the country and added that if people have a problem, they will move together,” he said.
Rao said be it Dussehra, Diwali, Bathukamma, Bonalu, Ram Navami or Vinayaka Chavithi, Indians have a culture of celebrating it in a grand manner and added that it was the responsibility of all to pass on this culture to the future generations.
“When we all think of Vinayaka Chaturthi, we think it’s a vibrant program. But an emotion is also there in this festival. During the freedom movement, Bal Gangadhar Tilak organized Vinayaka Chavithi celebrations to bring all the people of the country together. These celebrations took the freedom struggle forward. We are continuing that culture,” he recalled. Harish Rao called for continuing this culture in the days to come.
Reminding that under the leadership of KCR for nine years, Ganesh utsavams were celebrated on a grand manner, Rao requested the State Government to conduct the immersion ceremonies in the same manner. He also said the State Government should act without hurting anyone’s sentiments.
