Aug – 2025: The 5th Day Ganesh Visarjan Photowalk, From Hyderabad’s Streets to the Khairatabad Maha Ganesh Aarti
By August 2025, our community had grown into more than just a group of photographers. With every meetup, we had become a family that learned, celebrated, and documented Hyderabad together. Every festival had shown us a different side of the city, and every meetup had brought us closer together. As the celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi filled Hyderabad with devotion, music, and colorful processions, we once again stepped onto the streets, ready to document another tradition that brings millions of people together every year.
The sound of Ganpati Bappa Morya! echoed across Hyderabad. Every street corner had its own Ganesh idol, every neighborhood had its own celebration, and every procession carried a different story. Over the past few months, we had noticed something about our community. Our members truly loved photographing festivals and street culture. Naturally, we decided that it was time for a special Ganesh Festival Photo Walk.
Since Mr. Sai Thejeshwar Rao, Mr. Cherry Mokka, and I had already photographed these celebrations the previous year, we were familiar with the locations, timings, and crowd movements. That experience gave us the confidence to carefully plan another full evening for our community.
Our plan was simple. We would begin with the 5th Day Ganesh Visarjan around Tank Bund during the evening, and later, those interested could continue with us to witness the magnificent Khairatabad Maha Ganesh Aarti, one of Hyderabad’s most celebrated Ganesh traditions.
For the first time, we also encouraged members to wear traditional Indian attire. We knew by then that our meetups were no longer only about photography. Our members genuinely celebrated every festival together, and we felt traditional clothing would add even more joy to the experience. We clearly mentioned that it was optional.
Festivals are not only celebrated by people, but they are also remembered through the moments we preserve.
The result made all of us laugh. Only six or seven members, including me, actually arrived in traditional attire. As everyone gathered at the meeting point, the jokes started immediately, and the atmosphere became even more cheerful. It also taught me a funny lesson. Sometimes, if you really want something to happen, you have to make it compulsory.
After welcoming everyone, we conducted our usual briefing. We explained the day’s schedule, shared photography tips for documenting Ganesh Visarjan, discussed crowd movement, and also briefed everyone about the second part of the evening at Khairatabad. Many first time members and mobile photographers had joined us, so we made sure everyone felt comfortable before starting the walk.
The best photographs are made when everyone enjoys the journey together.
Soon the streets came alive with hundreds of Ganesh idols making their way towards immersion. Every procession had its own character. Children proudly walked beside the idols they had helped decorate, families offered their final prayers, traditional dhol players filled the air with rhythm, and chants of Ganpati Bappa Morya echoed from every direction.
Some idols were small enough to be carried by a few family members, while others arrived on beautifully decorated vehicles surrounded by dancing devotees. Our photographers spread across the streets, capturing emotions, celebrations, portraits, rituals, and countless candid moments that reflected the true spirit of the festival.
Some members focused on storytelling, others searched for creative compositions, while many patiently waited for that one perfect frame. It was wonderful to see experienced photographers helping beginners find better angles and encouraging mobile photographers to capture the same moments with confidence.
One of the highlights for our photographers was seeing hundreds of beautifully decorated small Ganesh idols arriving one after another for immersion. Every idol looked unique, lovingly crafted and decorated by families and local communities. Many of our members were especially drawn to these cute little Ganeshas, spending time capturing their details, vibrant colors, and the joy on people’s faces.
Before the immersion, several families performed their final aarti and prayers near the Tank Bund, and a few of our members respectfully joined those moments, making the experience not just about photography, but about celebrating the festival together.
As the first part of the meetup came to an end, we gathered once again at our meeting point. We enjoyed evening snacks and beverages together, shared our favorite photographs, welcomed a few members who had joined later, and took another group photograph before beginning the second half of the evening.
Around 25 members decided to continue with us to Khairatabad Maha Ganesh Aarti, while the remaining members concluded their meetup and headed home.
Khairatabad is home to one of India’s tallest and most iconic Ganesh idols. Every evening, thousands of devotees gather there for darshan and the Maha Aarti. We knew entering together as one photography group would not be easy, but we still wanted to try.
Faith gives us the courage to take the first step, even when the path is uncertain.
Earlier, before the festival had begun, Mr. Sai Thejeshwar Rao and I had already met the temple trustees hoping to obtain media entry passes for our community. Unfortunately, it could not be arranged at that time.
On the day of our meetup, as we reached the main security checkpoint, nearly 25 photographers stood together with cameras in hand, hoping we could somehow get closer to the Maha Aarti. We politely explained to the police officers about ShutterSociety.HYD and requested if our group could be allowed through the media and VIP passage so everyone could document the aarti respectfully.
We waited with hope, trying every possible way, but at that moment, permission could not be granted. Still, none of us wanted to give up. We all believed there might be one more chance.
A few days earlier, while photographing Khairatabad Ganesh, we had met a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Mr. Sai Thejeshwar Rao had introduced our community and explained the work we were doing to document Hyderabad’s festivals through photography. He appreciated our purpose, shared his contact details, and invited us to stay in touch.
Standing outside the security area with nearly 25 photographers waiting, Mr. Sai Thejeshwar Rao called the officer and explained that our community had arrived for the Maha Aarti. He kindly asked us to come inside and meet him.
Within a short time, our entire group was guided through a safe entry route. In the middle of such a massive crowd, we were fortunate to have a comfortable seating area along with the invited guests before the Maha Aarti began. We were warmly welcomed, offered the opportunity to participate in the pooja, and received temple prasadam before the aarti started.
Experiencing one of Hyderabad’s most beautiful Ganesh celebrations together from inside the temple premises was something none of us had expected when the evening began, making it one of the most memorable moments of the entire photo walk.
Where there is sincerity of purpose, the path often finds its own way.
As the aarti began, the entire atmosphere transformed. Thousands of devotees prayed together as lights illuminated the magnificent idol and devotional chants echoed throughout the grounds. For photographers, it was a breathtaking sight. Some focused on the grandeur of the idol, others captured the expressions of devotees, while many simply paused for a few moments to experience the celebration before raising their cameras again.
The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence. — Rabindranath Tagore
The meetup ended with dinner, conversations, laughter, and countless photographs. Many of our first time members shared how much they appreciated the planning behind the meetup and the effort taken to make the entire experience comfortable and memorable. As always, strangers had become friends before the day came to an end.
With the blessings of Lord Ganesha, another beautiful chapter of ShutterSociety.HYD came to a close. Every meetup was teaching us something new, strengthening our friendships, and reminding us that photography is at its best when it brings people together.
Thank you to every member who trusted us, joined us, celebrated with us, and made this Ganesh Festival Photowalk another unforgettable memory. We look forward to creating many more stories together, one meetup at a time.
