| As the chants of 'Ganpati Bappa Moriya' bellow | | | | above 30 kilos. The possession of the laddoo is |
| through Hyderabad starting tomorrow, the city will | | | | reputed to bring great luck and so the auction |
| see creativity and religious camaraderie unfurl | | | | usually has several bidders and the price even |
| across the pandals that dot the corners. Hardly a | | | | goes up to Rs. 3 Lakh in the bid war. |
| wonder then, that visiting these pandals, to check | | | | Ballapur |
| out their idols that compete on creativity and size | | | | Traditionally this has been the second largest |
| is a popular activity among Hyderabadis. The | | | | Ganesha from the city, though technically Ballapur |
| Hyderabad Ganesh Utsav Samiti, which makes | | | | is a village on the outskirts. Ballapur is past Barkas |
| sure that Lord Ganesha has a good stay in | | | | in the Old City and is near the industrial setup. The |
| Hyderabad, has the responsibility of keeping some | | | | laddoo here is the largest in the twin cities |
| of the more famous pandals in top condition and | | | | weighing around 50 kilos and is also the most |
| welcomes visitors with open arms. We undertook | | | | valuable. This laddoo has earlier been auctioned |
| a journey to the famous Ganesh pandals across | | | | even at a price of Rs. 10 lakh. |
| Hyderabad. | | | | Chappal Bazar |
| Khairatabad | | | | This pandal is in the historic Kacheguda Station |
| Undoubtedly the most famous of all Ganesh Idols | | | | area and is quite popular for the prasadam served |
| in the city, this is also the tallest usually tapering | | | | after the evening Aarti. Though situated in a |
| to a staggering 45 feet in height. This cut off | | | | congested lane, the pandal has many visitors. This |
| mark is a restriction imposed by the Government | | | | Ganesha Idol is usually not transported using a |
| because it gets difficult to otherwise transport the | | | | truck and is pulled by people using the wheels |
| idol for Ganesh Visarjan. This also happens to be | | | | fitted on the base of the idol. |
| the idol nearest to the Hussainsagar Lake (Tank | | | | Regimental Bazar |
| Bund - where the Visarjan happens every year). | | | | Regimental Bazar in Secunderabad has a long |
| People from all over the country come to see | | | | passageway decked with the best flowers, |
| this idol every year. The idol though ready nearly | | | | dazzling lights and has the most eclectic |
| two months in advance is not revealed to | | | | smattering of colors. This turns out to be among |
| anybody till the festival begins. During this time, | | | | the fanciest pandals in the twin cities. |
| Khairatabad is transformed and the atmosphere is | | | | Many of these idols get made in Dhoolpet area. In |
| like a fair, where there are stalls selling food, | | | | fact, it has the cheapest and the best idols. So if |
| Pooja Samagri (coconuts, vermillion, flowers et al) | | | | you are looking for one for your house this is a |
| and more. Khairatabad is also one of the best | | | | place you could visit. The streets are lined with |
| places to buy a Ganesha Idol for the house, as | | | | idols of all shapes, sizes and colors. You may even |
| the Ganesh Utsav Samiti puts up many stalls prior | | | | get to spot innovative variations such as Lagaan |
| to Ganesh Chaturthi for the same. The laddoo is | | | | Ganesh, Gadar Ganesh, Nataraj Ganesh, Hanuman |
| also befitting the size of the idol usually weighing | | | | Ganesh, Anti-Terrorist Ganesh and more. |