Procession peaceful, 2,237 idols immersed

The idols installed at various places across the city and suburbs were taken out in processions and immersed in the sea amidst tight security. About 10,000 police personnel were deployed to ensure that there was no untoward incident. CCTV cameras were also monitored to ensure that idols take the routes permitted by the police. There was a minor confusion in Royapettah as one idol was taken on a road that was not permitted by police.

Braving the blazing sun, processions of the idols passed through the designated route and reached the sea at five immersion points identified by the police — Kasimedu, Foreshore Estate, Tiruvanmiyur and Neelankarai. Policemen were posted in sensitive areas like Triplicane, as idols of various hues and sizes, installed by several Hindu outfits, including the Hindu Munnani, were brought in processions and immersed in sea.

While 21 idols were immersed in sea on Friday, 121 idols were immersed on Saturday. On Sunday, more than 2,500 idols were immersed, the police said. It may be noted that police had given permission to erect 2,600 idols in the city and helped devotees to get all necessary clearances from departments concerned through single-window system.

Hundreds of trucks, carrying the idols, queued up on the roads leading to the Marina beachfront for immersion in the Bay of Bengal. Giant cranes had been installed on the seafront to carry huge idols for immersion, even as fishermen lent a helping hand by carrying the idols into the sea.

In the city, several roads leading to beaches witnessed a heavy traffic jam as the trucks carrying idols moved at a snail’s pace as they inched towards the sea.