Every year, the city of Hyderabad transforms into a bustling hub of grand processions, devotion, and happiness. At the heart of this celebration is the famous Khairatabad Ganesh, who is affectionately called Bada Ganesh. The idol is renowned across India for its monumental height, distinct themes, and intricate craftsmanship. Over the 11-day festival window, the Khairatabad idol attracts millions of tourists and pilgrims. Every year, there is something special about the idol that makes the darshan even more exciting, but what about 2026? Let’s find out!
What Makes Khairatabad Ganesh Special This Year?
The Khairatabad Utsav Committee, which is led by the chairman S Rajkumar and chief sculptor Chinnaswamy Rajendran, has designed a spiritual and visual spectacle for 2026. This idol will be a merger of sustainable practices and traditional art.
Also Read: Ganesh Chaturthi 2026: Date, Puja Muhurat, Visarjan Dates & Complete Calendar
Theme: Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganpati
The theme selected for the year is Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati. In Hinduism, the panchamukhi form of Lord Ganesha holds significant meaning. The five heads of Ganesha signify the Panch Bhutas or Panch Koshas.
The Panch Koshas mean the representation of the five sheaths of human existence.
- Annamaya Kosha (Physical)
- Pranamaya Kosha (Energy)
- Manomaya (Mental)
- Vijayanamaya (Wisdom)
- Anandamaya (Bliss)
Together, they represent harmony and balance among the five elements of earth.
The Pancha Bhutas means the representation of the five elements of nature.
- Earth
- Water
- Fire
- Air
- Space
Each hand holds auspicious objects and iconic weapons. This includes the Trident or Trishula, lotus, goad (Ankusha), and modak. These symbolize authority over the cosmos.
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Construction Of The Main Idol
This year’s Khairatabad Ganesh idol is 69 feet tall. It will stand tall as a massive monument of faith. The idol will surely dominate the skyline but will also be structurally strong.
Continuing its commitment to the conservation of the environment, the idol is made using 100% eco-friendly materials. The materials used for construction will include organic clay, dry grass, rice husk, wood scaffolding, steel, and natural water-based colors.
Serious structural engineering is required to make sure that a 69-foot clay structure remains stable in open air. Chief sculptor C. Rajendran follows a carefully layered structure. High-grade heavy timber and steel pipes are used to form a skeleton to hold dozens of tons of weight.
To keep the internal weight manageable, Rice husks and dry grass are tied onto the frame. It also helps build bulk. Then sticky clay (sourced from coasts and riverbeds) is applied layer by layer. This allows every section to dry off naturally in the air. Lastly, water-soluble and non-toxic colors are applied to the idol. This makes sure that the water is not polluted during immersion or visarjan.
The Side Idols
The biggest highlight of the Khairatabad pandal is that, in order to complete the mythological story, they include some giant secondary deities on either side of the main deity. This year, the right side of the main idol will feature Somnath Jyotirlinga, and the left side will feature Kalika Maata.
A 15-foot-tall replica of the sacred Somnath Jyotirlinga is being made on the right side. This will symbolize the eternal light and strength of Lord Shiva.
A striking depiction of Kalika Mata is being made on the left side. This will represent fierce protection, power, or Shakti, as well as the destruction of negative forces.
Construction Cost
Chinnaswamy Rajendran is the chief sculptor for this idol. He has been associated with the Khairatabad Ganesh idol for over four decades now. More than 150 skilled artisans and craftsmen from across Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, and Tamil Nadu worked around the clock for over 80 days.
The estimated cost to construct this Ganesha idol is INR 1 crore. The estimated cost breakdown shows:
Clay and materials: INR 15 to INR 20 lakhs
Structure and Scaffolding: INR 20 to INR 25 lakhs.
Labour and artisans: INR 30 to INR 35 lakhs
Decoration and detailing: INR 15 to INR 20 lakhs
Lights and electricals: INR 10 to INR 15 lakhs
Transport and other miscellaneous expenses: INR 5 to 10 lakhs
A Legacy Of 72 Years
The Khairatabad Ganesh Mandal is marking its 72nd year of celebrations. This means it has been over seven decades of this iconic Ganesh Chaturthi tradition in Hyderabad. The tradition was started by freedom fighter and local councilor Singari Shankaraiah in the year 1954. He was inspired by Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and wished to unite people using the festival. The first idol installed at a local temple was a modest 1-foot clay figure. For decades, the idol’s height was increased every single year by 1 foot.
Also Read: Kasba To Dagdusheth: The Best Ganpati Route Through Pune’s Old City
Note: This list was compiled after verifying current publicly available business information
Summing Up
The Khairatabad Ganesh in Hyderabad is loved and celebrated for its eco-friendly clay build, massive size, as well as unique annual avatars during the 10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival. This year, the mandal is celebrating its 72nd year with the unique theme of Panchamukha Sankathara Maha Ganpati.
