Khairatabad Ganesh to depict ‘Operation Sindoor’ theme, idol to be made from clay this year

Every Vinayaka Chaturthi festivity, a towering Khairatabad Ganesh is specially celebrated for its massive size, ranging from 60 to 70 feet.

The origin of installing the idol dates back to 1954 with a one-foot idol. Over the years, the Khairatabad Ganesh pandal has endeavoured to have the most unique idol in terms of scale and popularity.

The idol, which receives significant attention every year, attracts devotees by highlighting different themes.

This year, it happens to be the Operation Sindoor.

At the Sri Vishwashanti Maha Shakti Ganapathi theme, Lord Ganesh appears to bestow his blessings upon devotees, symbolising his divine intervention to restore peace throughout the country.

“It takes four months to prepare the tallest idol, similar to the time it took to build a small bridge. Over 150 skilled workers from four states—Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Odisha—are coming to Khairatabad and working day



and night for the iconic Ganesh idol,” the idol maker, C Rajendran, who was associated with the committee for the past 47 years, told Telangana Today.m

“We have been using ‘Plaster of Paris’ (PoP) as it gives a rich look and fine finishing. Now, we are making the idol with clay, which we brought from Gujarat State. 1,000 bags (each bag weighing 35 kg) of clay have been ordered already this year. Apart from this, we are using 20 tons of iron for scaffolding and also using other materials like paddy husk powder, iron mesh, and water colours,” he said.

“The colossal Ganesh idol has become a significant attraction, drawing attention and admiration from devotees and visitors alike,” S Raj Kumar, Chairman of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee, told Telangana Today.

The Ganesh idol will also stand as the most expensive idol in the country. Every year, the committee spends Rs 1 to 1.5 crore on making the idol, relying solely on offerings by devotees, said Raj Kumar.