Khairatabad Ganesh Idol Nears Completion at 69 Feet for Ganesh Chaturthi

Hyderabad's iconic Khairatabad Ganesh idol is nearly ready for this year's Ganesh Chaturthi, standing 69 feet tall and drawing devotees ahead of the festival. The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samiti said the construction is in its final stages and the idol will be fully ready for public viewing by Sunday.

Raju Kumar, chairman of the Utsav Samiti, said this year's idol has been named 'Panchamukha Sankatahara Ganapati'. Around 150 artists from five states — West Bengal, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Telangana — worked together to craft the massive figure.

"We will remove the supporting sticks step by step and the entire idol-making work will be completed," Kumar said, adding that the Samiti has invited the Telangana Governor for the first day pooja.

The committee also organised the 'Aagaman' programme on Friday, which saw the participation of around 10,000 devotees, according to Kumar. At present, the idol is on public display, secured behind wooden sticks that will be removed on Saturday.

The Khairatabad Ganesh is one of the tallest Ganesh idols in Telangana and attracts lakhs of devotees every year during Ganesh Chaturthi. The 10-day Hindu festival marks the birth of Lord Ganesha, worshipped as the deity of wisdom, prosperity and new beginnings. Devotees install idols at homes and public places, followed by prayers and cultural celebrations, with the festivities ending in immersion.