Tight security, peaceful processions mark Hanuman Jayanti in Hyderabad

Hanuman Jayanti was celebrated with traditional fervour on Saturday as thousands participated in processions and offered prayers at temples.

The day-long celebrations, held amid tight security and traffic restrictions, concluded peacefully by evening.

VHP leader and former BJP MP Ram Vilas Vedanti inaugurated the Hanuman Jayanti ‘shobha yatra’ (procession), organised by the Bajrang Dal, at the Hanuman temple in Gowliguda.

Amid chants of "Jai Shri Ram", thousands of youth took part in processions.

Speaking to PTI Videos, Vedanti said he wished for Narendra Modi to become Prime Minister for a fourth term and for India to become a ‘Hindu Rashtra’.

He highlighted key decisions made during Modi’s tenure, including the abrogation of Article 370, the ban on triple talaq, the construction of the Ram temple, and the amendment to the Waqf Act.

He also claimed that a Uniform Civil Code and a population control law would be brought in if Modi is re-elected.

Modi, he said, must continue as Prime Minister for "national interest and social harmony".

Vedanti also expressed hope that the BJP would come to power in Telangana after the 2028 Assembly elections.

The main procession, which began at Gowliguda, ended at the Hanuman temple in Tadbund, covering about 12 km.

In a release, the police said approximately 150 processions from the Hyderabad City Commissionerate and 40 from Cyberabad and Rachakonda joined the main procession.

The Hyderabad City Police deployed 17,000 personnel and additional armed forces to ensure security for the ‘Vijaya Yatra’.

Traffic diversions were enforced at 45 locations across the city to facilitate the smooth movement of the procession without causing inconvenience to residents or organisers.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner C V Anand, who made field visits, said extensive security arrangements were put in place "based on the current situation and past experiences," according to the release.

As a precautionary measure, arrangements were made to prevent any untoward incidents at sensitive and other religious places of worship in Hyderabad, in consultation with the VHP, Bajrang Dal, and other religious leaders, the release said.

All processions were continuously monitored through CCTV and drone cameras under a Joint Command and Control system, it added.