Sudarshan
(Chief Organiser of Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee)

Mr Sudarshan reveals the story of Khairatabad Ganesh Idol in an exclusive interview with www.khojhyderabad.com.

Excerpts from the Interview :

Q. Could you please tell us about yourself?
A. I am working in AP Government Textbook Press as the Head Binder. I am also the General Secretary for the Union in our Department.

Q. Could you please tell us the history of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee?
A. My elder brother, freedom fighter, Mr. S. Shankariah, started this committee in the year 1954. Our family has been organising these celebrations ever since, with the co-operation of the local residents. It is my brother Mr. Shankariah, also a municipal counsellor, who has constructed the Committee's building here in Khairatabad. I took over the responsibility of managing the committee and it's activities after him.

Q. Could you please tell us how this tradition of displaying the Idols of Lord Ganesh during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival has all started?
A. It all started during the pre-independence era. Freedom fighter Bala Gangadhar Tilak has encouraged this tradition for bringing the people together and to build unity. He saw to that every street has an Idol of Lord Ganesh, and that everybody in the neighbourhood participated in the celebrations, so that they stick together. Thus did Lord Ganesh bring us independence playing a significant role in the freedom fight.

Q. How do you raise funds for the celebrations?
A. Firstly we raise funds from our friends. We then add the donations from devotees that are collected during the celebrations, to the funds.

Q. How much do you spend on this year’s celebrations?
A. This time it is seven lakhs. We spent close to two lakhs towards the making of the Idol itself. The Idol consumed five tons of steel and two-and-a-half trucks load of Plaster of Paris.

Q.    How high is the Idol this time?
A.    It is close to 40 feet.

Q. What motivates you to carry this activity?
A. I lost my eyesight in an accident in 1979. But I got my sight back when I prayed to Lord Ganesh. There was another occasion when Shabbir, one of the workers, while decorating the Idol, fell down from 40 feet, but still survived. It is all because of the grace of Lord Ganesh. This place in particular has that power.

Q. Another interesting observation here is the amazing unity and integrity between people of different religions. There is a Darga right next to the place. Is it not?
A. Yes. We do not have the differences between Hindus and Muslims here. Both Hindus and Muslims work in the making of the Idol. Many Muslims come here to pray the God too!

Q. Do the devotees come from all around the country to see the Idol at khairatabad?
A. It is not only from all corners of the country, but people from other countries also come here to see the Idol at khairatabad!

Q. How did Khairatabad Ganesh Idols become so popular?
A. During the 50's, there used to be very few Idols displayed during the festival. And they were by no means big. It was my elder brother, who started making these huge Idols and popularised the tradition. He used to campaign in every nook and corner of Telangana by helicopter. It is only later, that others have started making giant Idols and today you are able to find so many in the city.

The other reason for the place to be so popular is the belief that the devotees have on Khairatabad Ganesh.

Q. How many people come to see the Ganesh Idol at Khairatabad?
A. Lakhs of people! Nearly 40,000 devotees come here everyday during the nine days of celebrations. They come in queues to offer gifts to the God. Every one feels that they must see the Lord Ganesh at Khairatabad.

Q. What do you do with the donations made by the devotees during the nine days of celebrations?
A. We never save any funds. In fact, we have a deficit balance every year, as we spend liberally on the decoration part.

Q. Is there any support from the Government?
A. In the last 25 years, the Government used to arrange cranes for lifting and moving the Idols for "Nimarjan". But from the last year, it stopped. I request the Government to revert to the old practice.

The Government of course helps us in some other aspects like maintaining the traffic here.

Q. What about the restrictions on the height of the Idols that the Government has insisted on?
A. The Government brought in restrictions. But we do not care! It is an issue related to Religion. The Lord Ganesh who brought Independence to the country should not have any restrictions!

Q. As there is a huge gathering here every year during the festival, is the Tourism Department taking any special interest?
A. Nothing in particular. But they have a special award for the best set to encourage the organisers, which we have won earlier.

Q. Is there any support from the Police Department?
A. Yes, they help a lot in maintaining the crowds over here.

Balaji Adivishnu