Sights and smell of devotion in a Hyderabad neighbourhood

Udita Purkait

Aug 06, 2025

Community & Culture

Community & Culture

In the heart of Hyderabad’s Old City, the narrow lanes of Dhoolpet come alive every year with a quiet sense of anticipation.

Community & Culture

The air carries a heavy blend of plaster of paris and wet clay, earthy and chemical at once. You can almost feel the craft settling into your skin. 

Community & Culture

In Dhoolpet, idol-making is not merely a business—it’s a tradition passed through generations, sharpened each year by memory and hand.

Community & Culture

From palm-sized idols meant for home altars to grand 20-foot Ganeshas that block entire streets, Dhoolpet supplies statues far and wide.

Community & Culture

On average, each workshop sells about 100 idols a year. The larger pieces can cost anywhere between ₹70,000 and ₹80,000, depending on the size, materials, and level of detailing.