Hyderabad's 81-foot Durga made of grass and mud draws thousands this Navratri
Representative image: pradippal / Pixabay
An 81-foot Durga idol of grass, mud and water-based paint at Koti, Hyderabad, is drawing thousands daily this Navratri; organisers will dissolve it on site, not in a lake.
What Happened
A towering 81-foot idol of Goddess Durga built from grass, mud and water-based paints is drawing thousands of devotees every day to Esamia Bazar in Koti, Hyderabad, during this year's Navratri, which began on October 12, 2026. The idol has been raised by the Navadurga Navaratri Utsava Samiti, which says it was made with mud from Telangana and mud brought from Kolkata. Instead of being carried to a lake, the idol will be dissolved where it stands: according to the organisers, water will be poured over it on October 23 so that the structure slowly melts and the materials return to the earth.
Key Facts
- The idol at Esamia Bazar, Koti, in Hyderabad stands 81 feet tall; last year's was 72 feet.
- It is made of grass, mud from Telangana and Kolkata, and water-based paints.
- Organisers say 40,000 to 50,000 people a day are visiting, with heavier crowds at weekends.
- The Navadurga Navaratri Utsava Samiti began the celebration around 25 years ago with a five-foot idol.
- The idol is to be dissolved on site with water on October 23, organisers say, rather than immersed in a water body.
- Navratri festivities culminate on Vijayadashami, October 20, 2026.
Why It Matters
Navratri and Durga Puja are among the most widely celebrated festivals in India, and in many cities the festival ends with idols being immersed in rivers, lakes or the sea. Idols made with materials that do not break down, and painted with chemical colours, leave waste behind in those water bodies, which is why civic bodies and environmental groups have pushed for natural materials and alternatives to immersion.
The Koti idol shows one such alternative. It is built from grass and mud and coloured with water-based paints, and bringing mud from Kolkata links the Hyderabad celebration to the city most closely associated with Durga Puja. The decision to dissolve the idol where it stands removes the need for a lake immersion altogether. Scale and faith are not sacrificed: at 81 feet, the idol has become a destination in its own right.
The growth of the celebration also tells a story about how festivals spread. What began as a modest five-foot idol around the turn of the century has grown, year by year, into an event that draws tens of thousands of people a day. It reflects the way Durga Puja traditions from eastern India have taken root in southern cities through migration and community groups.
Impact
Short-term: Large crowds are expected at Koti through Vijayadashami on October 20, so visitors should plan for congestion around Esamia Bazar.
Long-term: If the on-site dissolving works smoothly, it could encourage other pandals in Hyderabad and elsewhere to choose natural materials and avoid lake immersions.
Who is affected: Devotees and visitors in Hyderabad, festival organisers, idol-makers, residents and traders around Koti, and city authorities responsible for lakes.
Key Takeaway
An 81-foot Durga made of grass and mud in Hyderabad's Koti shows that a giant Navratri idol can be built and dissolved without polluting a lake.
Questions and Answers
Where is the 81-foot Durga idol in Hyderabad?
It is at Esamia Bazar in Koti, Hyderabad, set up by the Navadurga Navaratri Utsava Samiti for Navratri 2026.
What is the idol made of?
Grass, mud from Telangana and Kolkata, and water-based paints, according to the organisers.
Will the idol be immersed in a lake?
No. The organisers say water will be poured over it on site on October 23, so it slowly dissolves and the materials return to the soil.
How many people are visiting?
Organisers estimate 40,000 to 50,000 visitors a day, with larger crowds expected at weekends.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
