Demand for clay Ganesh idols surges ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi

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An artist gives finishing touches to a clay idol of Ganesha at Ayodhya Nagar in Vijayawada on Saturday. | Photo Credit: G.N. RAO

There has been good demand for clay Ganesh idols in the market, with environmentalists and many non-governmental organisations (NGOs) spreading public awareness on performing puja by installing clay idols during Vijayaka Chaturthi festival to keep check on water pollution.

Many schools and NGOs in the city have been conducting Ganesh idol-making competitions using clay in the last couple of days. With only a day left until Vinayaka Chaturthi, some NGOs intensified their campaign, explaining the need to install clay idols at homes and in the pandals.

“There is a need to do puja with clay idols to prevent pollution of rivers and canals. Idols made of plaster of Paris, colours, and iron rods are polluting canals,” said Class X student P. Srivatsa, who was preparing clay Ganesh idols for a competition.

Meanwhile, Bhagavat, an artist, who was busy making arrangements to sell clay idols in Vijayawada on Saturday, said “Even the pandal organisers are buying clay idols this year. The demand for Ganesh idols made of clay is high.”

Clay idols are being made at Ayodhya Nagar, Bhavanipuram, Ibrahimpatnam and other areas in Vijayawada. Many devotees have visited the market to see the idols that are on display for sale as part of the festival.

A few NGOs and traders, on the other hand, were making arrangements for the free distribution of clay Ganesh idols at some centres.

“There has been a shortage of clay to prepare the idols as heavy rainfall occurred in the last two days. We are searching for clay as my daughter, Ravali, has been insisting on doing puja with a clay idol only,” said P. Suryanarayana of Krishnalanka in Vijayawada.

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