Hyderabad: The city gave a heartfelt farewell to Lord Ganesha on Saturday, not just at its major lakes but also at the many baby ponds set up across the city. Families in thousands turned to these artificial ponds, arranged by the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) in parks, colleges, and housing colonies, to avoid crowding and reduce pollution in bigger lakes.This year, GHMC created over 70 baby ponds. From Necklace Road to Durgam Cheruvu and Malkam Cheruvu, families arrived in brightly decorated vehicles with idols, their chants of ‘Ganapati Bappa Morya’ filling the streets.For many devotees, these smaller ponds brought relief. “Every year we went to Hussainsagar, but it was always too crowded, especially with kids,” said Kavitha Reddy from Narayanguda. “Here it feels peaceful, and we didn’t have to wait for hours.” Others welcomed the convenience. “We brought the idol from our colony pandal to Durgam Cheruvu. It’s just five minutes away, so even the elders could join us,” said Arjun Rao, a 32-year-old software professional. “Otherwise, they avoided it because of the long travel and rush.”At Sanjeevaiah Park pond, queues moved slowly. Youngsters carried idols on their shoulders while children scattered flowers before immersion. Nine-year-old Shreya, who came with her grandparents, said, “I like it here because the idols go into the water quickly and we don’t get pushed around.”The ponds also had a festive yet community feel. Civic staff and volunteers guided devotees, lifted idols, and cleared debris. At Durgam Cheruvu, drinking water and prasad were shared among waiting families. “It feels more like a gathering than a crowd,” said college student Mohammed Imran. “People are relaxed, not fighting for space.” As the day ended, Hyderabad’s farewell to Ganesha at baby ponds felt quieter, safer, and more personal.
