That’s a gigantic collection, indeed!

Lord Ganesha, has a charm of his own. He is first God whom Hindus pray to during any puja or festival, as he is considered auspicious for removing obstacles in every path. That’s why he is also revered as Vigneshwara. The God has a pot-belly along with a rat as his mascot, which gives him an aesthetic appeal. Though many collect Ganesha’s idols, none can match the assortment of Pabesetti Shekhar, who has entered into many record books.

Ch Saibaba

52-year-old Pabesetti Shekhar, working as a Special Assistant at SBI, St. Mary’s Road, has dedicated his life to the Lord Ganesha. He has created history for having the world’s largest collection of Ganesh idols, photographs and other materials till date.

His parents are ardent devotees of Shirdi Saibaba, since the 1970s. He visited the temple in July 1973 along with his parents and was inspired after seeing a little Ganesh idol made of Plaster of Paris (POP). He then made it a hobby to collect Ganesh idols, posters and photographs from all over India and across the world. Till date he has a huge collection of 15,253 Ganesh idols in various forms which range in size and shape, 18,342 photographs covering over 59 albums, 1096 posters, 164 books on Lord Ganesha, 175 key chains, 154 audio video cassettes, totalling upto 35,184 items.

His collection is not only from India, but also from the USA, Japan, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and many other countries. He has all the 32 forms of Ganesh statues including Bala Ganapathi, Sankatahara Ganapathi and also Shuba Drishti Ganesh- the 33rd form of Ganesh. In addition, he has 12 Raasi Ganapatis and many other antique Ganeshas which he collected from his forefathers over the past five to six generations. His collection includes idols which feature precious metals like gold, silver, bronze, brass and aluminium and idols made of crystal, glass and other earth minerals.

He has a special skill to sketch various Ganeshas and also to carve out idols from M-Seal, POP, ceramic powder, betel nut, glass painting, emboss painting, stones, thread and other materials. Shekhar’s drawing room is adorned with Ganesh idols on the showcase, pen stand, wall, lamp, switches, mirror, watch, bell and key chains.

In recognition of his outstanding work his, he was honoured by the Limca Book Of Records for five straight years from 2009 to 2013. He achieved the world record in 2010 2011,2012 and 2013 apart from his name being including in the India Book of Records in 2012 and 2013, Unique World Records 2012 and 2013, Everest World Records 2012 and 2013 and Assistant World Records 2012 and 2013.

Shekhar is now mastering a plan to construct Panch Mukha Ganesh temple at Hyderabad to help needy people and to solve various problems of the people through Ganesha Pracharam. He said, the significance of Panch Mukha Ganesha is that it is made of five lohas ( metals ) viz, gold, silver, copper, brass & zinc and five trunks with three on right and two on left. The first trunk symbolises health, second for wealth, third for prosperity, fourth for education and career and the fifth for vasthu to drive away all the evil forces.

His dream is to have a large collection of one lakh Ganeshas in all forms and to also enter into the Guinness Book of World Records to bring name and fame to our country by spreading the message and importance of Lord Ganesha.