HYDERABAD: Towering at a height of 61 feet, the famed Khairatabad Ganesha this time will don ‘Dwadashaditya Maha Ganapathi’ — a 12-headed snake — avatar to bless devotees. Compared to the last four years, the idol’s height (from 56 feet) has gone up by 5 feet this year.
What was a tiny one feet idol back in 1954 in a corner of Khairatabad, the Ganesha has — over the years — assumed larger than life flamboyance not only in Telangana but all over the world. It was Sankaraiah, elder brother of Sudershan, who was the brainchild behind installing the Ganesha idol in Khairatabad near the railway level crossing in ’50s.
Sixty five years later, the tradition has only got bigger and grander. The idol’s height has also gradually increased over the years. By 2014, it peaked to a high of 60 feet, making it the tallest Ganesha in Telangana. “We celebrated the 60th anniversary in 2014 and hence made a 60ft tall Ganesha. Since then, we had decided to reduce the height of the idol by one feet every year from 2015,” founder-chairman of Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee, S Sudershan, told TOI.
This year, the utsav committee had decided upon Dwadashaditya theme and design and increased the idol’s height by 5 feet. “The Khairatabad Ganesha with his new avatars has become the cynosure of all eyes because of the idol’s towering height,” Sudershan added.
He said lakhs of devotees identify the Ganesha with his imposing height. “We did give a serious thought to reduce the idol’s height by one feet every year. But again, Khairatabad Ganesha became popular with devout only because of his unrivalled height. They cannot imagine him shrunken,” Sudershan said.
When asked about the expenditure gone into making the huge idol, he said, “The cost of iron, plaster of paris, wooden frames, natural colours etc, has gone up. We spent Rs 1 crore on the idol.” Committee member S Raj Kumar said they have taken permission from cops on increasing the height and given an assurance on ensuring a smooth immersion of the idol.
“The gigantic Khairatabad Ganesha glittering in floodlights during the 10-day festivities will be a sight to watch. No other idol in India can match his grandeur,” said Phanindra Sarma, a regular to the pandal for the last 15 years.
With each passing year, craze for Khairatabad Ganesha has also soared. So much so, the mega Ganesha has made his way into mobile phones and is used as wallpaper and as display picture on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. “Telugus from across the globe make it a point to visit the pandal to have darshan of the lord and take selfies with him. It’s insane as they jostle to get photographed with the idol,” Raj Kumar said.
On Khairatabad Ganesha attracting so much craze, Sudershan said, “May be, it’s the Vaastu of the place. Also the idol is placed facing the east which for many is a good omen.”
The number of devotees making a beeline to the pandal is also increasing. Last year, it was 10 lakh devotees, this year, the organisers believe the numbers will touch 15 lakh. “The idol will be adorned with a 750-kg laddu. A city-based devotee has come forward to donate the laddu prasadam,” Raj Kumar said.
Srikanth, owner of an air-cooler manufacturing unit at Langer Houz, has donated the laddu. “This is the fifth time that I am offering laddu to Khairatabad Ganesha. I believe that my business has increased since I offered laddu as prasadam,” said Srikanth.
Meanwhile, the committee and police have made foolproof arrangements. Apart from having barricades to control the surging crowds, CCTVs have also been installed. Thousands of devotees thronged the pandal on Sunday evening to get a glimpse of the magnificent Ganesha idol.
Governor invited to offer first prayers
Governor ESL Narasimhan and his wife have been visiting the Khairatabad Ganesha every year, and are the first ones to offer special prayers on Ganesh Chaturthi. The couple have been offering the first prayers at the pandal since 2015. “We have invited the governor and his wife to attend the first puja 12 noon,” organising committee secretary, S Raj Kumar said.
Ganesha idol falls from truck, damaged
A Ganesh idol, which was being taken to a pandal, fell from the truck and got damaged, near Meraj Cafe at Mehdipatnam on Sunday. The idol, which was about 12-feet tall, fell upside down on the road causing panic among commuters. However, the traffic police sprung into action and cleared the traffic. A crane was called place the idol on another truck.
What was a tiny one feet idol back in 1954 in a corner of Khairatabad, the Ganesha has — over the years — assumed larger than life flamboyance not only in Telangana but all over the world. It was Sankaraiah, elder brother of Sudershan, who was the brainchild behind installing the Ganesha idol in Khairatabad near the railway level crossing in ’50s.
Sixty five years later, the tradition has only got bigger and grander. The idol’s height has also gradually increased over the years. By 2014, it peaked to a high of 60 feet, making it the tallest Ganesha in Telangana. “We celebrated the 60th anniversary in 2014 and hence made a 60ft tall Ganesha. Since then, we had decided to reduce the height of the idol by one feet every year from 2015,” founder-chairman of Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee, S Sudershan, told TOI.
This year, the utsav committee had decided upon Dwadashaditya theme and design and increased the idol’s height by 5 feet. “The Khairatabad Ganesha with his new avatars has become the cynosure of all eyes because of the idol’s towering height,” Sudershan added.
He said lakhs of devotees identify the Ganesha with his imposing height. “We did give a serious thought to reduce the idol’s height by one feet every year. But again, Khairatabad Ganesha became popular with devout only because of his unrivalled height. They cannot imagine him shrunken,” Sudershan said.
When asked about the expenditure gone into making the huge idol, he said, “The cost of iron, plaster of paris, wooden frames, natural colours etc, has gone up. We spent Rs 1 crore on the idol.” Committee member S Raj Kumar said they have taken permission from cops on increasing the height and given an assurance on ensuring a smooth immersion of the idol.
“The gigantic Khairatabad Ganesha glittering in floodlights during the 10-day festivities will be a sight to watch. No other idol in India can match his grandeur,” said Phanindra Sarma, a regular to the pandal for the last 15 years.
With each passing year, craze for Khairatabad Ganesha has also soared. So much so, the mega Ganesha has made his way into mobile phones and is used as wallpaper and as display picture on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram. “Telugus from across the globe make it a point to visit the pandal to have darshan of the lord and take selfies with him. It’s insane as they jostle to get photographed with the idol,” Raj Kumar said.
On Khairatabad Ganesha attracting so much craze, Sudershan said, “May be, it’s the Vaastu of the place. Also the idol is placed facing the east which for many is a good omen.”
The number of devotees making a beeline to the pandal is also increasing. Last year, it was 10 lakh devotees, this year, the organisers believe the numbers will touch 15 lakh. “The idol will be adorned with a 750-kg laddu. A city-based devotee has come forward to donate the laddu prasadam,” Raj Kumar said.
Srikanth, owner of an air-cooler manufacturing unit at Langer Houz, has donated the laddu. “This is the fifth time that I am offering laddu to Khairatabad Ganesha. I believe that my business has increased since I offered laddu as prasadam,” said Srikanth.
Meanwhile, the committee and police have made foolproof arrangements. Apart from having barricades to control the surging crowds, CCTVs have also been installed. Thousands of devotees thronged the pandal on Sunday evening to get a glimpse of the magnificent Ganesha idol.
Governor invited to offer first prayers
Governor ESL Narasimhan and his wife have been visiting the Khairatabad Ganesha every year, and are the first ones to offer special prayers on Ganesh Chaturthi. The couple have been offering the first prayers at the pandal since 2015. “We have invited the governor and his wife to attend the first puja 12 noon,” organising committee secretary, S Raj Kumar said.
Ganesha idol falls from truck, damaged
A Ganesh idol, which was being taken to a pandal, fell from the truck and got damaged, near Meraj Cafe at Mehdipatnam on Sunday. The idol, which was about 12-feet tall, fell upside down on the road causing panic among commuters. However, the traffic police sprung into action and cleared the traffic. A crane was called place the idol on another truck.
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