Hyderabad: Jeweller Installs 24-kt Gold-plated Ganesha Idol Studded With 3.83 Lakh American Diamonds - Deccan Chronicle

**Hyderabad’s Glittering Ganesh Idol Draws Crowds** A Hyderabad jeweller has unveiled a spectacular Ganesh idol for this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, coating the deity in 24‑karat gold and embedding it with **383,800 American‑cut diamonds**. The idol, officially named “Lee‑Chee Ka Raja,” was installed at the historic **Chowmahalla Palace grounds** on Tuesday evening, where a ceremonial lighting marked the beginning of the festivities. The jeweller, **M. R. Jewels**, disclosed that the diamonds, sourced from the United States, were set in intricate patterns across the idol’s torso, trunk and crown, creating a dazzling effect that reflects both traditional devotion and modern opulence.

The golden‑and‑diamond Ganesh joins a growing parade of avant‑garde idols that have appeared across Hyderabad in recent years, ranging from robot‑controlled figures to holographic projections. This year’s installation is part of the **“Viksit Bharat 2047”** theme, commemorating the 50th anniversary of India’s independence and envisioning a technologically advanced future. Organisers of the city’s Ganeshotsav, the **Hyderabad Ganeshotsav Committee**, highlighted the idol as a symbol of “progressive heritage,” aiming to attract tourists and showcase the city’s capacity for large‑scale cultural spectacles.

While the idol has become one of the country’s most talked‑about Ganeshotsav attractions, it has also sparked debate. Cultural commentators note that the extravagant use of precious metals and foreign diamonds raises questions about resource allocation amid broader socioeconomic challenges. Nevertheless, local business owners report a surge in foot traffic, with hotels and eateries seeing a **30 % increase in bookings** since the idol’s debut, underscoring the event’s economic impact on the city.