In Hyderabad, work on the city’s tallest idol, the Khairatabad Maha Ganapati, progresses quickly. According to the Utsav Samithi members, about 60% of the project is done.
The Khairatabad Maha Ganapati is a well-known and grand Ganesh pandal in Hyderabad with a long history. A massive Ganpati idol is set up each year. This year’s idol, named Vishwa Shanti Maha Shakti Ganapati, will stand 69 feet tall, blessing devotees.
As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, around 150 workers are tirelessly shaping the iconic idol day and night. The team has completed about 60% of the work so far.
The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samithi emphasizes that the idol represents devotion and tradition. S Raj Kumar, a long-time organizer, reports steady progress. “We’re on schedule. Our workers are dedicated,” he states. Shipi Rajendra leads as the main artist, while craftspeople from Chennai, Adilabad, Tamil Nadu, and Bombay contribute in shifts to meet the festival deadline.
The team blends new features with tradition each year. The idol uses Rajasthan clay powder, dry grass, barley husk powder, and a sturdy frame of 20 tons of steel. Over 1,000 bags of clay from Secunderabad form its foundation. Started on June 6 with ‘Karra Puja’ during ‘Nirjala Ekadashi’, the project includes a crafted Silver Kada on Ganapati’s wrist and a Rudraksha mala of 1,40,000 beads from Kashi. Despite challenges, the 100-150 workers remain hopeful. Raj Kumar notes, “This is more than a statue; it’s a blessing for Hyderabad. Our devotion is evident in the scale of our work.”
