Hyderabad has once again turned the pages of its Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations into a grand showcase of devotion mixed with showmanship. This year, the city is hosting two striking installations that have drawn attention from across the state: a massive 72-foot structural idol of Lord Ganesha and an intricately crafted statue embedded with more than 3.8 lakh diamonds.
The towering structure, erected at a prominent location in the city, stands as one of the tallest temporary Ganesha idols in India. Constructed using eco-friendly materials wherever possible, the installation required extensive engineering and scaffolding work. Organisers say the project was completed over several weeks, involving hundreds of artisans, sculptors, and construction workers. The sheer height of the idol has made it visible from miles around, becoming an instant landmark in the neighbourhood.
Separately, the jewel-encrusted idol has become a talking point among devotees and critics alike. Crafted with exceptional attention to detail, the 3.8 lakh diamonds are said to be carefully placed to highlight specific motifs — including the elephant trunk, the sacred thread, and decorative elements on the deity's crown. Luxury artisans and jewellery experts contributed to the project, which reportedly took months to complete. While some community members have praised the craftsmanship, others have raised concerns about the commercialisation of a deeply spiritual festival.
Festival preparations in Hyderabad typically begin weeks in advance, with various communities, mandals, and cultural organisations setting up their own pandals and installations. The city is home to a large population of Maharashtrian-origin families who traditionally observe Ganesh Chaturthi with great fervour, alongside Telugu, Urdu, and other cultural communities who have also embraced the celebration in recent years.
City authorities have deployed additional police personnel, traffic management teams, and medical staff to handle the expected influx of visitors. Sanitisation drives and waste management plans are being finalised for the visarjan (immersion) process, which marks the conclusion of the ten-day festival. Officials have urged organisers to follow environmental guidelines, particularly regarding the use of non-biodegradable materials and synthetic paints.
Religious leaders across the city have offered mixed responses. Some Blessing the efforts as expressions of devotion and community spirit, while others have called for a return to simpler traditions that focus less on material display and more on spiritual meaning.
Ganesh Chaturthi in Hyderabad typically culminates on Anant Chaturdashi, when millions of devotees take the decorated idols in processions to nearby water bodies for immersion. The celebrations are expected to draw lakhs of visitors from across the region.
