Hyderabad Surgeon Performs Traditional Vahan Puja on India's First Tesla Model Y

Tesla has officially entered the Indian market with the Model Y as its sole offering, sparking interest and tradition among new owners. In Hyderabad, Dr. Praveen Koduru, a laparoscopic surgeon, received the city's first Tesla Model Y and immediately performed the traditional Vahan Puja, a ritual believed to ensure safety and divine protection for newly purchased vehicles. This ceremony involved adorning the car with garlands, applying kumkum, and other customary practices, highlighting a unique blend of cutting-edge technology and Indian cultural traditions. Koduru humorously remarked that no vehicle, including Tesla, can achieve a "five-star safety rating" in Indian culture without this blessing, a comment that resonated widely on social media. The Model Y, priced around Rs 62 lakh, boasts impressive performance and range, reinforcing Tesla's commitment to the Indian market, which opened showrooms in Mumbai and Delhi earlier in 2025. Public reactions to the ritual ranged from appreciation of the cultural fusion to lighthearted jokes about needing traditional protection despite the car's advanced features.