Mangalore prepares for Vinayaka Chaturthi

Mangalore prepares for Vinayaka Chaturthi

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, September 2: Idols of Lord Ganesha are being made in different parts of the city in preparation for Vinayaka Chaturthi, which is just 10 days away. Since Mangalore has no moulded Ganesh idols like those found in Mysore and Bangalore, idol makers make these idols manually; and sometimes, entire families are engaged in the task.

 

Mr. Prabhakar Rao of Mannagudda says that the demand for Ganesha idols is on the rise and that he has received an order for 20 large-size Ganesha idols for public Ganesha functions and 100 smaller idols, which have to be ready by September 10.

Mr. Shenoy of Car Street, who is fully into the business of making Ganesha idols, says that it takes at least 48 hours to make a large idol. Each idol requires 5 – 6 hours for painting along. He also says that the biggest problem about making Ganesha idols is shortage of clay, which comes at a price. Old suppliers of clay no longer function and the existing suppliers are finding it difficult to find deposits of clay, which is getting more and more expensive.

Mr. Rao, whose family is engaged in the business of making Ganesha idols, says that getting clay has always been a problem; but somehow idol makers find the required clay. The idol makers have also taken into consideration of environmental pollution and turned to organic paints, he said.

Ganesha idols are now costlier than ever. A large public six-feet Ganesha idol in the seated posture costs Rs. 15,000 while the cost of the smaller idols depends on size and posture; however, customers are least bothered about the price.

Mangalore will host more than 100 public Ganesha functions within the city as well as places such as Suratkal, Moodubidri, Bantwal, and Ullal.