When it comes to Vinayaka Chavithi in Hyderabad, the first name that comes to mind is Khairatabad Bada Ganesh. A massive idol, a design that changes every year, and the buzz of thousands of devotees — these are just some of the features that have made this Ganesha special, not just in the city but across the country. So how did Khairatabad Ganesh gain such fame? When did this tradition begin? How small was the idol when it started? Why is it made so massive now? And what makes the 2026 Bada Ganesh special? To find the answers, one has to go back nearly 70 years.
The history of Khairatabad Bada Ganesh began in 1954, when freedom fighter and former corporator Singari Shankaraiah started Vinayaka celebrations in Khairatabad. In the very first year, a Ganapati idol just one foot tall was installed. No one knew back then that this modestly-begun Ganesh festival would go on to become such a major identity for Hyderabad in the years to come. In the following years, the idol’s height was increased by one foot every year. As the years passed, the Khairatabad Ganesh idol grew progressively larger, reaching 60 feet by 2014. Later, due to environmental concerns and difficulties encountered during immersion, the height was reduced for a while. Even so, given the continued enthusiasm from devotees, the tradition of massive idols resumed. Along with Ganapati, the accompanying deity idols, elaborate decorations, and pandal design also draw devotees in large numbers.
Work on this giant idol begins months in advance. Hundreds of artisans and workers labour day and night to bring it to life. Organisers said that for the 2026 idol, around 150 artisans worked for nearly three months. In 2026, Khairatabad Bada Ganesh stands at a height of 69 feet. This year, the idol has been crafted in the form of Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati — meaning Ganapati is depicted with five faces. This is the key highlight of this year’s idol.
Devotees come to see Khairatabad Ganesh not just from within Hyderabad but from various parts of Telangana and from other states as well. Many devotees believe that their wishes are fulfilled upon having darshan of Ganapati. The immersion (nimajjanam) during the Khairatabad Ganesh festivities is also a major attraction. After the rituals are completed, Ganapati is taken in a massive procession towards Hussain Sagar. Cranes and specialised vehicles are used to immerse the giant idol. In 2026, the immersion of Khairatabad Bada Ganesh is scheduled to take place on September 25, on the occasion of Ananta Chaturdashi.
Khairatabad Bada Ganesh is not merely a massive idol — it represents over 70 years of history, generations of devotion, and a distinctive part of Hyderabad’s culture. That is precisely why the same level of craze for Bada Ganesh continues, year after year.