Ganesh Agamans in Hyderabad turn into grand celebrations; dhol-tasha, lights and fireworks add festive glow

There are concert tickets, reflective wristbands and a DJ or popular singer on stage. But thousands of people dance to the dhol-tasha and music, the streets are lit up as event venues, and fireworks light up the night sky. This is it GaneshAgaman in Hyderabad.

What was once largely a neighborhood affair is turning into a city-wide spectacle, with people traveling from all over Hyderabad and neighboring districts to watch the Agamanas – the arrival of Ganesha. In several locations, the crowds, music, lights and fireworks begin to resemble a music concert or sporting event.

Part of the reason for the growing focus on the Agamanas is practical. Nimarjan Day comes with restrictions on the use of loud music systems and stricter regulation of processions. Organizers are therefore increasingly using the days leading up to Ganesh Chaturthi for celebrations that may be difficult to organize during the procession.

A large idol of Lord Ganesha being transported to a pandal on a vehicle ahead of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival, causing traffic jams near Kukatpally in Hyderabad on Thursday (September 10, 2026) | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

Dhol-tasha groups are flown in from neighboring Maharashtra, bhajan clubs join the celebrations, young people appear in fusion clothing and pageant organizers use elaborate decorations inspired by celebrations in northern India and elsewhere.

Social media has added another layer to the celebrations. Ganesh Committees create dedicated Instagram pages and work with influencers to showcase idol making, preparations and Agaman. Influencers also travel to popular pandals to film preparations and parades.

Lists of must-visit Ganesh pandals are doing the rounds online, prominently featuring Khairatabad, Balapur, Begum Bazaar Pahlwan Ganesh and Ramnagar ka Raja, some of Hyderabad’s original and decades-old pandals.

Well ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi on 14th September

The change is also in the timing. Several Agamans were held in the last week of August and the first week of September, well before Ganesh Chaturthi on 14 September. In Shivrampally, Raja Ganesh Agaman was held at the stadium. Processions for Laldarwaza Ganesh, Nampally ka Raja and Ramnagar ka Raja also drew thousands.

In Ramnagar, a 19-year-old engineering student died on Saturday while participating in the Agaman procession. Police said a crowd of nearly 10,000 people gathered for the parade.

There is another visible change this year: political leaders are taking more interest in Ganesh committees and their celebrations.

Visibility at the neighborhood level is an added value for politicians

With municipal elections approaching, visibility at the neighborhood level has gained added value for political leaders. Sponsorship or association with the Ganesh Committee offers politicians an opportunity to be present in residential colonies and localities where conventional political programs may not always attract large crowds.

As in Maharashtra, particularly Mumbai and Pune, the Ganesha festival in Hyderabad is increasingly becoming another public space where politics and community activities meet.

Sponsorship is not exactly new. Politicians have long supported religious and community events. But the scale of the celebrations, their visibility on social media and the proximity of municipal elections have given such associations greater importance this year.

“Agaman is not new, but the scale of the celebrations is touching another level this year. This year we are witnessing massive concert-style lighting and fireworks,” said Shashidhar Ravinuthala, general secretary of Bhagyanagar Ganesh Utsav Samiti. He said the nature of the celebrations had changed over the years.

According to Mr. Ravinuthal, the Ganesh festival economy in Hyderabad is worth more than ₹6,000 crore. Citing a Central University of Karnataka study, he said, “They did a study five years ago and found that the economy is worth more than ₹6,000 crore, directly benefiting more than two million families and indirectly helping more than four million individuals.”

1.40 lakh Ganesha Pandals in Hyderabad by 2025

He said there were 1.40 lakh Ganesha pandals in the city last year, with the number increasing by about 5% every year. “Only 2-3% of the organizers are doing Agamana on a massive scale,” he said.

Published – 10 Sep 2026 16:10 IST