Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations begin with gusto in Telangana

A bird’s-eye view of the 69-foot Khairatabad Ganesh idol, made using 30 tonnes of natural river clay mixed with locally available sand from Hyderabad, a day before Ganesh Chaturthi, in Hyderabad on September 13, 2026. | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

The nine-day Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began on Monday (September 14, 2026) in Telangana with devotional fervor and merriment.

Lakhs of Lord Ganesha idols of various sizes and forms were installed in houses, apartment complexes and street corners for worship in Hyderabad and all other towns and villages in the state.

A large idol of Ganesha in a pandal in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

After a night of drizzle in the city, the people of Hyderabad woke up to a pleasant morning and visited the markets to buy idols and other puja material.

Devotees thronged temples and offered prayers at homes to mark Ganesh Chaturthi, known as Vinayaka Chavithi in Telangana and neighboring Andhra Pradesh.

The main attraction of Ganesh Chaturthi in the state was the giant idol of Ganesh installed in a pandal in Khairatabad, Hyderabad.

Lord Ganesha depicted in the form of Lord Jagannath in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

A unique idol of Ganesha in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: NAGARA GOPAL

This year, a 69 feet tall idol was installed at the Khairatabad pandal. The idol has been named as “Pancha Mukha Sankata Hara Maha Ganapati” who wishes to remove the obstacles of the devotees.

Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla offered prayers at the giant idol of Ganapati and wished Lord Ganesha to shower his blessings on everyone.

The government and the police have made elaborate arrangements, including security, to ensure the smooth running of the festivities.

A statue of Lord Ganesha sits on a bear as part of a unique idol installed for the Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

The idols will be immersed in bodies of water after the nine-day festivities. Thousands of idols would be immersed in Hussain Sagar Lake and other lakes and reservoirs in Hyderabad.

The Governor, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, Union Ministers G. Kishan Reddy and Bandi Sanjay Kumar and leaders of all major parties wished the devotees on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

A statue depicting a woman tying a rakhi to Lord Ganesha in Hyderabad. | Photo credit: SIDDHANT THAKUR

Published – 14 Sep 2026 14:09 IST