The 69-foot Khairatabad Ganesh idol drew massive crowds in Hyderabad on Monday despite heavy rain, prompting police and railway police to manage queues and movement near the Khairatabad Metro station and a nearby level crossing.
The Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapathi at the Khairatabad pandal witnessed a sharp surge in devotees, with queue lines stretching as visitors gathered to see the idol during Ganesh Chaturthi. The venue remained packed as people continued to arrive despite difficult weather conditions.
The Ganesh Utsav Committee and local police jointly organised queue lines at the pandal to regulate the movement of devotees. Police and railway police were also deployed near the level crossing leading to the Khairatabad Ganesh venue, close to Khairatabad Metro station, in view of the heavy rush.
The crowd management arrangements covered one of the key access points to the popular pandal. The deployment near the level crossing was intended to manage the movement of visitors in an area where road, rail and metro-linked pedestrian activity converge during the festival. The report did not specify whether any traffic restrictions or changes to metro services had been announced.
The idol, described as eco-friendly, is among Hyderabad’s most prominent Ganesh festival installations. Its 69-foot height and the large number of visitors have made access management a recurring operational requirement during the festival period, particularly when rain affects walking conditions and the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.
Members of the Padmashali Sangham also marked Ganesh Chaturthi by presenting a specially crafted offering to the Khairatabad Bada Ganesh. The offering comprised a 75-foot Kanduva, or sacred towel, a Jandhyam, or sacred thread, and a Garika mala made of durva grass.
The Sangham presented the offering for the fifth consecutive year as part of its tradition. The organisers said the practice combines religious observance with the community’s craftsmanship.
Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla and his spouse visited the Khairatabad Ganesh pandal and attended the first pooja. Their visit took place as the venue received large crowds and police personnel remained deployed to support crowd management.
The Ganesh Utsav Committee and police arrangements will remain central to the movement of devotees at the pandal as visitor numbers continue to put pressure on access routes around Khairatabad. The report did not provide details of the duration of the arrangements or any further traffic and public transport advisories.
