Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Driver Takes Six Hours to Move Khairatabad Ganesh
A very large Ganesha idol is being carried through Hyderabad for immersion.
The idol is 72 feet tall and travels on a truck with 26 tyres.
Mandadi Venkat Reddy is driving the truck this year.
He must move very carefully around people, traffic, turns and electrical wires.
The trip is only about four kilometres long.
However, it takes around six hours because many devotees are on the streets.
Venkat Reddy has driven the idol’s vehicle several times before.
He says he is doing the job because of his faith and will not take money for it.
A 26-tyre truck is transporting the 72-foot Khairatabad Bada Ganesh idol toward Hussain Sagar.
Mandadi Venkat Reddy is driving the vehicle during this year’s immersion procession.
The approximately four-kilometre journey takes about six hours because of crowds, traffic, turns and electrical wires.
Venkat Reddy has worked as a driver with Vijayawada STC Transport for 26 years.
He said he will not accept payment, viewing the responsibility as service to Lord Ganesha.
- Who
- Mandadi Venkat Reddy is driving the truck carrying the Khairatabad Bada Ganesh idol.
- What
- A 72-foot Ganesha idol is being taken in an immersion procession on a 26-tyre truck.
- When
- The procession began on September 25, 2026; Venkat Reddy has also handled immersions in 2017, 2020 and 2025.
- Where
- The procession started at the Khairatabad mandapam and is heading toward Hussain Sagar in Hyderabad.
- Why
- The idol is being transported for its immersion, while Venkat Reddy says he is serving Lord Ganesha out of faith.
- Idol height
- 72 feet
- Transport vehicle
- 26-tyre truck
- Journey distance
- Approximately four kilometres
- Travel time
- Around six hours
- Driver
- Mandadi Venkat Reddy
- Driving experience
- 26 years with Vijayawada STC Transport
- Payment
- Venkat Reddy said he would not take any money for driving the vehicle