Prayagraj: Last minute preparations were on in full swing in the city of Sangam which is set to welcome Lord Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi festival with all its pomp and grandeur after two years of celebrations being marred by the Covid-19 pandemic.
It’s that time of the year when chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ fill in the air. People are full of enthusiasm as there would be no restriction imposed on the festival this year.
This year, Ganesha idols made of clay are in demand which are eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable and free from any chemicals. They are made with clay which helps in cleansing the lakes and seas when immersed in water. However, the paint used contains heavy metals and chemicals and is hazardous. Colourful idols are in more demand.
“Every year, some customers come up with different ideas while others give us a free hand to experiment with the themes. Thus, the idols, showing Ganesha sitting on the lap of goddess Parvati, or on the chariot (along with the entire family), Lotus, on Nandi the bull etc are selling like hot cakes,” said Ravi, a shopkeeper selling Ganesha idol near Company garden.
“It is the faith of devotees which wanted Ganesha to look in different forms because of which we have made this special idol”, said Tapash Pal, another artisan of the city.
Along with these specially designed idols, the city is full of idols of Ganesha, available in various sizes and qualities. Those made of clay are costly and mostly made on demands of different samities and groups, both from urban and rural pockets.
“The orders are placed a month before as making these clay idols is a complex phenomenon and not as easy as making idols from plaster of paris”, explains Tapash Da. The clayey soil, brought from the bed of Ganga, is powdered, filtered and kneaded so that a perfect dough is prepared. It takes many hands, with different expertise, before the final idol comes up. A basic structure is made of bamboo on which the dough, made of clay and dry straw, is placed after which the final layer is placed, he explained. The raw idol is dried up and then wrapped with cotton cloth which gives a perfect finish and the same is sprayed with distemper and water colours.
It’s that time of the year when chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya’ fill in the air. People are full of enthusiasm as there would be no restriction imposed on the festival this year.
This year, Ganesha idols made of clay are in demand which are eco-friendly and 100% biodegradable and free from any chemicals. They are made with clay which helps in cleansing the lakes and seas when immersed in water. However, the paint used contains heavy metals and chemicals and is hazardous. Colourful idols are in more demand.
“Every year, some customers come up with different ideas while others give us a free hand to experiment with the themes. Thus, the idols, showing Ganesha sitting on the lap of goddess Parvati, or on the chariot (along with the entire family), Lotus, on Nandi the bull etc are selling like hot cakes,” said Ravi, a shopkeeper selling Ganesha idol near Company garden.
“It is the faith of devotees which wanted Ganesha to look in different forms because of which we have made this special idol”, said Tapash Pal, another artisan of the city.
Along with these specially designed idols, the city is full of idols of Ganesha, available in various sizes and qualities. Those made of clay are costly and mostly made on demands of different samities and groups, both from urban and rural pockets.
“The orders are placed a month before as making these clay idols is a complex phenomenon and not as easy as making idols from plaster of paris”, explains Tapash Da. The clayey soil, brought from the bed of Ganga, is powdered, filtered and kneaded so that a perfect dough is prepared. It takes many hands, with different expertise, before the final idol comes up. A basic structure is made of bamboo on which the dough, made of clay and dry straw, is placed after which the final layer is placed, he explained. The raw idol is dried up and then wrapped with cotton cloth which gives a perfect finish and the same is sprayed with distemper and water colours.