Retroperitoneal paragangliomas deriving from the neural crest cells of the sympathetic system are relatively rare. They can be either functional if they secrete catecholamine or non-functional. If tumour is functional, the diagnosis of paragangliomas can be made easily even before surgery. We present a case of retroperitoneal paraganglioma in a 40-year-old female diagnosed initially as pancreatic lesion on imaging techniques.However, sudden fluctuations in blood pressure levels upon manipulation of the mass were noticed intra-operatively. Then, paraganglioma was suspected, and it was confirmed as retroperitoneal paraganglioma on histopathological examination.