With just a day left for Ganesh Chaturthi, the markets in Hyderabad, especially places like Dhoolpet, are buzzing with activity. People are busy buying large, colorful Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols. However, this year, there has been a slight increase in the sale of small clay Ganesh idols. Some households and residential colonies are opting for these eco-friendly options.
To encourage eco-friendly practices, many families are choosing smaller Ganesh idols made from clay and natural colors. Local artisans are happy to see a positive response to these sustainable choices. In addition to traditional idols, there is also a high demand for Mumbai-style Ganesha idols and Ram Lalla-style Lord Ganesh idols. Many artisans have used the Ram Temple of Ayodhya as a theme for their creations this year. Even among PoP idols, smaller ones, up to 2 feet in size, are particularly popular.
K Nagesh, an eco-friendly Ganesh idol maker from Chaderghat, shared, “Compared to last year, the response has been much better, especially from residential colonies and households. We have received many orders. Clay idols are more affordable than PoP idols, with prices starting as low as Rs 50.”
Kamlesh, another Ganesh idol maker from Kompally, added, “For the past two years, Mumbai-style Ganesha idols have been trending, and this year, the demand has grown even more. These idols are dressed in dhotis with silk cloths or pattu kanduvas, and they wear pagdis decorated with colorful artificial stones. Even the smaller versions, made of clay, are crafted with eco-friendly colors.”
Kailash Singh Hazaris, president of the Telangana Ganesh Idol Artisans Welfare Association, noted, “Every year, we look forward to Ganesh Chaturthi and Durga Puja as these are the only times we can earn a good profit. This year, the response has been positive, but it would be better if the State government took steps to phase out PoP idols. Crafting large clay idols requires a lot of raw material, and it would help if the government organized a meeting with artisans to find a solution.”
Meanwhile, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is also promoting the use of eco-friendly clay Ganesh idols. They have procured 3.10 lakh clay idols in three different sizes and have already started distributing them.
