In a major relief to pandal organisers, the Kurnool district administration has said that the immersion of Ganesh idols installed for Vinayaka Chaturthi festivities can take place at the Handri-Neeva canal instead of Kurnool-Cuddapah (K-C) canal.Kurnool city is known for its large-scale festivities, with more than 1,000 Ganesh idols installed and immersed in the K-C canal waters, with the idols taken out in a centralised procession. Following the impact of El Nino, the water levels in K-C canal had come down drastically, forcing authorities to announce that the immersion could not take place there, as priority is given to the storage of drinking water.Meanwhile, Kurnool MLA and Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharath Gupta announced on Tuesday that immersion facilities can be provided at the Handi-Neeva canal instead of K-C canal.“Following a review meeting with district in-charge Minister Nimmala Ramanaidu, who also holds the Water Resources department portfolio, and senior Irrigation officials, it has been learned that there is scope to draw water into the Handri-Neeva canal for another 12 to 14 days,” the Minister said.Mr. Bharath said that officials have assured that all necessary arrangements will be made to facilitate the immersion of large idols as well. “There is a possibility of conducting the immersion of the idols at the Handri-Neeva canal over a three-day period — specifically on the 5th, 7th, and 9th days following the idol’s installation. Water availability would be highest on the 5th and 7th days, making them the most suitable period for immersion. However, the feasibility of the 9th day could not be accurately assessed at this stage,” he said.The Minister further announced that arrangements for the immersion could be made at Nannur toll gate, Tadakanapalle, and Ulindakonda along the Handri-Neeva canal. “Once the Vinayaka Immersion Committee selects one of these three locations, the Kurnool Municipal Corporation will make arrangements there. The arrangements will be similar to those made at K-C canal every year,” he said.However, Mr. Bharath urged the public to install only clay idols measuring one to one-and-a-half feet in height, as smaller idols could be immersed at home as well. The Minister stated that larger idols would be immersed at the designated location by the Vinayaka Immersion Committee and officials,” he said.“The Endowments department has also decided to conduct a ‘Varuna Yagam’ (a ritual to invoke rain) across the State during the Cabinet meeting. One such Yagam will be held in Kurnool under the auspices of the Gayatri Goseva Samithi,” he added. Published - September 08, 2026 07:52 pm IST