Hyderabad, Sept 2026 : Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations began across Telangana on Monday with religious fervour and enthusiasm, with thousands of devotees offering prayers at homes, temples and specially erected pandals. The festivities were marked by the ceremonial worship of the iconic Khairatabad Ganesh, where Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla performed the first puja.
The Governor, accompanied by his wife Janaki Shukla, offered prayers to the 69-foot Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati at Khairatabad, one of Hyderabad's most prominent Ganesh festival venues. State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar, local MLA D. Nagender and members of the organising committee welcomed the Governor at the venue.
Prabhakar presented ‘pattu vastralu’, or silk robes, to the Khairatabad Ganesh, popularly known as Bada Ganesh, as part of the traditional rituals.
Speaking on the occasion, Governor Shukla said that although the Ganesh festival originated as a major public celebration in Maharashtra, the Khairatabad Ganesh has acquired a special identity and significance across the country. He expressed happiness over learning that the organisers have been installing the Ganapati idol for 72 years and prayed for the welfare, peace and prosperity of the people.
The Khairatabad Ganesh idol is redesigned in a different form every year, attracting thousands of devotees from Hyderabad and neighbouring districts. Large crowds began arriving at the venue from early morning to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha.
Authorities made extensive security arrangements around the Khairatabad area to regulate the movement of devotees and ensure the smooth conduct of the celebrations. Traffic restrictions were also imposed on several roads surrounding the venue to manage the large crowds.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy extended his greetings to the people on the occasion and prayed to Lord Vigneshwara, the remover of obstacles, to bless people with happiness, prosperity and good health.
The Chief Minister urged citizens to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with devotion and enthusiasm at the numerous pandals set up across neighbourhoods in Hyderabad and other parts of the state. He also directed the police and other officials to ensure smooth traffic movement in Hyderabad as well as at district headquarters during the festival.
Revanth Reddy instructed authorities to take adequate precautions at Ganesh pandals, particularly in view of the large crowds expected during the celebrations. He also recalled that the Telangana government is providing free electricity to Ganesh pandals this year as well.
The festival brought a festive atmosphere to towns and villages across Telangana, with thousands of idols installed by residents and community groups. Markets in Hyderabad and other towns witnessed considerable activity as devotees purchased Ganesh idols, flowers, decorations and puja materials.
Large idols were transported on trucks to various parts of Greater Hyderabad and other districts, while devotees performed rituals at their homes, temples and public pandals from the morning.
However, rainfall in several parts of Telangana since Sunday night affected the celebrations to some extent and dampened the festive mood in some areas.
Ganesh Chaturthi festivities will culminate in Hyderabad on September 25 with the traditional immersion procession. Every year, hundreds of idols are immersed in Hussain Sagar Lake and other water bodies in and around the state capital, drawing massive crowds and requiring extensive arrangements by the police and civic authorities.
