Devotees planning to visit Hyderabad’s famous Khairatabad Ganesh have until midnight on September 23 to have darshan of the 69-foot Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati.

The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee announced that September 23 would be the final day of public darshan. It clarified that devotees would not be allowed to enter the pandal for darshan on September 24 as preparations would begin for the idol’s immersion. The committee has advised devotees to schedule their visit accordingly and avoid waiting until the final hours. A significant increase in footfall is expected as the darshan period draws to a close.

According to the committee, darshan will remain open only until midnight on September 23. The pandal will subsequently be closed to visitors so that organisers can complete the necessary arrangements for transporting and immersing the massive idol.

The Panchamukha Sankatahara Maha Ganapati will be immersed in Hussainsagar near NTR Gardens. Moving the 69-foot idol requires extensive logistical planning, route management and coordination between the festival organisers, police and civic departments.

The Ganesh festivities began on September 14, and thousands of devotees have been visiting Khairatabad every day to offer prayers. The towering idol is one of Hyderabad’s most popular Ganesh festival attractions and draws visitors from different parts of Telangana and neighbouring states.

Anticipating large crowds during the 11-day celebrations, Hyderabad police have worked with the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation and the Roads and Buildings Department to regulate the movement of devotees.

Separate barricades have been installed between the entry points and the Ganesh pandal to maintain orderly queues. Officials have also introduced measures to prevent overcrowding and help devotees complete their darshan safely.

The Hyderabad Traffic Police have made special arrangements around Khairatabad to reduce congestion and ensure smoother traffic movement. Designated parking areas have also been established so that visitors can leave their vehicles away from the busiest routes.

Devotees have been requested to follow police instructions, use the marked queues and avoid parking vehicles on major roads. Those planning to visit on September 23 should expect longer waiting times because of the anticipated rush on the final day. The committee reiterated that no darshan would be available on September 24 and urged the public not to approach the pandal after the announced deadline.