Telangana Welcomes Ganesh Chaturthi with 69-ft Khairatabad Idol
Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations commenced across Telangana on Monday, with lakhs of idols installed and a 69-ft giant idol drawing devotees at Khairatabad in Hyderabad.
The nine-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival, known as Vinayaka Chavithi in Telangana, began across the state on Monday with traditional devotion and enthusiasm. Lakhs of idols in varied sizes and forms were installed at homes, apartment complexes and street corners in Hyderabad as well as in towns and villages throughout Telangana.
Residents of Hyderabad woke to a pleasant morning after overnight drizzle, and markets saw brisk activity as people purchased idols and puja materials. Devotees visited temples and performed prayers at their homes to mark the start of the celebrations.
The centrepiece of this year's festivities is a 69-foot-tall idol at the Khairatabad pandal in Hyderabad, named 'Pancha Mukha Sankata Hara Maha Ganapati', which is intended to invoke the removal of obstacles for devotees. Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla offered prayers at the giant idol and extended his wishes for the blessings of Lord Ganesha on all.
Authorities made extensive arrangements, including security measures, to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival. Following the nine-day celebrations, the idols will be immersed in water bodies, with thousands expected to be immersed in Hussain Sagar lake and other lakes and tanks across Hyderabad.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar, along with leaders of major political parties, conveyed their greetings to devotees on the occasion.