Khairatabad Mahaganapati Draws Huge Crowds as Devotees Queue for Hours

The iconic Khairatabad Mahaganapati witnessed a massive turnout of devotees on Sunday as the Ganesh Navratri celebrations continued with religious fervour across Hyderabad.

With the day being a holiday, devotees from different parts of Hyderabad and neighbouring areas arrived in large numbers to seek the blessings of the 69-foot-tall Bada Ganapathi. The heavy rush resulted in queues stretching for nearly 2 km around the pandal.

According to the festival organisers, devotees were having to wait for around five hours for darshan due to the large number of visitors. The growing crowds kept the areas surrounding Khairatabad and Tank Bund bustling throughout the day.

The police made elaborate security arrangements in and around Khairatabad and Tank Bund to regulate the crowds and prevent any untoward incidents. Personnel were deployed at key points to manage the movement of devotees and maintain order.

Drinking water facilities were also arranged for devotees through the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) to help visitors cope with the long wait.

The Khairatabad Ganesh idol, one of Hyderabad's most prominent attractions during the annual Ganesh festival, continued to draw devotees in large numbers as the celebrations entered another busy phase.