HYDERABAD: The making of the famed Khairatabad Ganesh idol works will begin from May 18 at the pandal site, where it is usually installed in Hyderabad. This was confirmed by the the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee chairman S Sudarshan who said that the idol making process will begin with 'Karra Pooja' to be held on the May 18.

This was stated after speculations floating over the making of city's tallest Khairatabad Ganesha idol being halted, due to the ongoing lockdown affected by the coronavirus pandemic and the spike in cases in Hyderabad.

The committee has decided to build a 66-foot height Ganesha idol, on completing 66 years of installing the Ganesh idol which is increased in height every year. The construction of the idol will start from May 18, and will continue till the third week of August, he said.

The idol will be unveiled on the occasion of Ganesh Chavithi festival, which falls on August 22. While talking about the precautionary measures being taken to handle large crowds of devotees who come to see the idol, Sudarshan said that they would ensure social distancing and other protective measures for the devotees.

Lakhs of people have been visiting the mega Ganesha idol during the Ganesh festival time, which is open to public for 11 days from the day of the festival till its immersion.

While talking about the special arrangements, the Committee president said that they would try and arrange for a sanitisation chamber at the entrance of the pandal. He said that sanitation will be also be given high priority considering the situation prevailing at that time.

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