Karnataka: Bodies of 8 drowned during Ganesh visarjan in Tungabhadra recovered

At least 12 devotees fell into the Tungabhadra river on Wednesday when a boat carrying a group of 30-35 youths capsized in the river.

Eight bodies, out of the 12 people who drowned during a Ganesh idol immersion in the Tungabhadra river, were taken out near Shivamogga in Karnataka on Thursday.

At least 12 devotees fell into the Tungabhadra river on Wednesday when a boat carrying a group of 30-35 youths capsized in the river. (Sunil Ghosh / HT Photo for representation)

At least 12 devotees fell into the Tungabhadra river on Wednesday when a boat carrying a group of 30-35 youths capsized in the river. While five of the boat’s occupants managed to swim back to shore, others were still missing and looked out for by the rescue teams.

Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival celebrated, in which Ganesha idols are brought home and installed with great ceremony (sthapna) on a decorated platform. The idol is offered pure water along with libations such as honey and milk. While some celebrate the festival for one day, many others install and worship the idol for five and ten days.