Manginapudi Beach in Machilipatnam will host 10-day Maha Ganapati celebrations featuring a 63-foot idol, religious programmes, cultural events and expanded visitor facilities, Andhra Pradesh mines, geology and excise minister Kollu Ravindra said at a press conference on Sunday.
The idol has been installed at the beach with the stated aim of seeking universal welfare, development of the state and the happiness and prosperity of people. Sculptors Rajan and Rajendran created it over nearly two months, according to the minister.
The event will also feature replicas of the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams, Vijayawada Kanaka Durga temple, Simhachalam Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha temple and Bhadrachalam Rama temple. Daily homams and other spiritual programmes are planned, with special rituals and additional homa kundams expected towards the concluding days of the celebrations.
Peethadhipatis and swamis from different parts of the country are expected to attend. Organisers have also planned around 50 stalls, a devotional programme stage, prasadam distribution and cultural programmes, expanding the event beyond religious ceremonies into a large public gathering at the coastal site.
Authorities have said that special traffic routes, a one-way system and parking facilities will be arranged to manage the expected rush. The planned visitor infrastructure includes lighting, watchtowers, security personnel, drinking water, washrooms and medical facilities. Trained swimmers are also expected to be deployed for beach safety.
The arrangements place crowd movement and basic services at the centre of the event’s public-space planning. At a beach venue, the combination of visitor inflow, parking demand and water-related risks requires coordination between traffic, security, health and local administration agencies. The minister’s announcement did not specify the number of visitors expected or the agencies responsible for each operational measure.
Ravindra also outlined longer-term plans to develop Manginapudi as a tourism destination. A tourism village estimated at ₹100 crore has been proposed under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, while about 750 acres have been identified for future projects including golf courses, studios and resorts.
Additional activities such as paragliding and jet-speed boating are proposed subject to permissions and safety norms. The broader development plan also includes greenery, fencing, an RO plant, dressing rooms, showers and modern washrooms with a coffee club.
The minister said the Maha Ganapati celebrations would be held every year. The immediate event will therefore serve as the first announced cycle of a recurring public programme, while the proposed tourism and recreation projects will depend on the required approvals and implementation decisions.
