Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations commenced across Telangana on Monday, 14 September with religious fervour, as Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla performed the first puja at the iconic Khairatabad Ganesh in Hyderabad and Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy extended greetings to the people of the state. The festivities mark the beginning of a 11-day celebration that will conclude with a massive immersion procession on 25 September.

First Puja at Khairatabad

Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, accompanied by his wife Janaki Shukla, offered prayers at the 69-foot Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati idol at Khairatabad, situated in the heart of the city. State minister Ponnam Prabhakar, local MLA D. Nagender, and members of the organising committee accorded the Governor a warm welcome. Prabhakar presented 'pattu vastralu' — traditional silk robes — to the idol, also popularly known as Bada Ganesh.

Speaking at the event, the Governor acknowledged that while Ganesh Utsav originated in Maharashtra, the Khairatabad Ganesh holds distinct national significance. He expressed happiness on learning that the organisers have been installing the Ganapati for 72 years, and prayed for the well-being and prosperity of all people. The idol, which is designed uniquely each year, continues to draw devotees from across the city and neighbouring districts.

Chief Minister's Appeal and Directives

Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy greeted citizens on the occasion and prayed to Lord Vigneshwara to remove obstacles from people's lives and bless them with happiness, prosperity, and good health. He urged residents to celebrate the festival with devotion at pandals set up across neighbourhoods. Reddy also directed police to ensure smooth traffic movement in Hyderabad and all district headquarters throughout the festive season.

Officials were instructed to take crowd-management precautions at pandals. The Chief Minister also recalled that the state government is providing free electricity to Ganesh pandals this year, continuing a policy extended from previous years.

Citywide Celebrations and Security

Thousands of idols were installed across towns and villages in Telangana as festivities began with pomp. Markets in Hyderabad and other towns reported hectic activity, with devotees purchasing idols and puja material. Large idols were seen being transported in trucks to different parts of Greater Hyderabad and other districts. Devotees offered prayers since morning at homes, temples, and specially erected pandals.

Police made elaborate security arrangements and imposed traffic restrictions around Khairatabad to ensure smooth conduct of the festivities. A large number of devotees from Hyderabad and other districts gathered to offer puja.

Rain Disruption and Immersion Schedule

Rains in parts of Telangana since Sunday night reportedly dampened the festive spirit in certain areas. The festival is set to conclude with a massive immersion procession in Hyderabad on 25 September. Hundreds of idols are immersed every year in Hussain Sagar lake in the heart of the city, as well as several other lakes in and around the state capital — a tradition that draws enormous crowds and close administrative attention.