Thousands mob streets to praise Hindu idol during festival

Devout Indian Hindus thronged Mumbai's roads yesterday, some going into trance, as a huge idol of the elephant-headed Hindu god Lord Ganesha was transported for immersion into the Arabian Sea in Mumbai.

More than 40 heavy duty cranes were pressed into service on the banks of the river, as more than 12,000 people watched a variety of different-sized idols dipped into the waters.

Hindus bring home and also offer prayers in temporary temples built for idols of Lord Ganesha in order to invoke his blessings for wisdom and prosperity during the Ganesha Festival, which culminates with the immersion of the idols in bodies of water.

Security was high during the festival, following a recent gun attack on Taiwanese tourists outside a mosque in New Delhi.

Northern India has been dealing with floods this week, with over 500,000 hectares of farmland in the state of Uttar Pradesh under water.

Unicef yesterday said 1.7 million people have been affected in Uttar Pradesh and one million in Bihar. Both are poor states and Uttar Pradesh is also the most populous with 190 million citizens.

More than 300,000 people were forced out of their homes.