Currency‑Clad Ganesha Idols Turn Palvancha into a Festival Magnet

When you think of Ganesh Chaturthi, the first images that pop up are usually colourful rangoli, gleaming lanterns and towering clay idols. This year, the tiny town of Palvancha in Telangana gave us something far more… glittery.

Two separate pandals decided to go big – literally – by draping their Ganesha statues in fresh banknotes. The total value? Roughly ₹2.9 crore, a figure that sounds more like a film budget than a religious décor.

The first of these eye‑catchers was put together by members of the Kapu community. They covered their deity with crisp notes amounting to about ₹1.40 crore. You could see the bills neatly layered, like a financial quilt, shimmering under the sunlight. It wasn’t long before word spread, and folks from neighbouring villages started trickling in, cameras in hand, eager to snap a picture of the ‘money‑covered’ god.

Not to be outdone, a local youth group called Team Ekadanta rolled out their own version, spending close to ₹1.50 crore on the endeavour. Their idol, too, was a spectacle of cash – each note placed with surprising precision, as if the bankers themselves had lent a hand.

Organisers say the money didn’t just appear out of thin air. Contributions poured in from local traders, shop owners and residents who wanted to make the celebration memorable. Even banking officials reportedly helped arrange the fresh notes, ensuring everything looked pristine.

The result? Long queues of devotees, families with kids perched on shoulders, and a sea of smartphones capturing the unusual tableau. Many visitors called it “something you never see on a Ganesh Chaturthi”, and the videos quickly went viral on social platforms.

Every year, Telangana lights up with pandals, artistic idols and community feasts. But this time, the currency‑wrapped Ganeshas stole the show, proving that when tradition meets a dash of extravagance, the crowd can’t help but gather.