Ganesh chaturthi devotees look up to taller idols

40 per cent increase in demand for idols rising up to 22 feet or more

Ganesh chaturthi devotees look up to taller idols

40 per cent increase in demand for idols rising up to 22 feet or more

They say size matters and in this case it appears to be true. With Ganesh Chaturthi just a month away, it seems that devotees are demanding for taller idols to worship this year.

Mandal organisers revealed that a 25-ft Ganpati idol is priced between Rs 2 and 2.5 lakh

Organisers of the various sarvajanik mandals across the city, claim that this year the USP for devotees to attend a pandal would be the size of the idol.

Organisers told MiD DAY that the demand for big idols has increased by 40 per cent this year, and will increase by an additional 10 per cent during the mad rush period.

Last year, the biggest Ganesh idol was 25 feet and this year, the number is supposed to increase even more.

Vijay Khatu, one of the most prominent idol makers in the city said, "This year I am making fifteen 25-foot Ganesha idols compared to the eight I made last year.
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It takes my workers around 10 days to make one idol of that size."

However, organisers also said that with the increase in the size of the idols, the price will also increase proportionately.

"Last year, the 25-ft tall Ganesh deity cost Rs 1-1.5 lakh and this year the same size idols are priced anywhere between Rs 2-2.5 lakh," said an organiser of one of the mandals.

When asked why the fad for tall idols, one of the organisers explained that the taller the idol, the more publicity the mandal attracts. "The trend for big Ganesh idols began because of the heightened sense of competition.

Every mandal wants their Ganesha idol to be famous in comparison to the Lalbaugcha Raja and they think having a gargantuan idol would help attract eyeballs."

Echoing the same thoughts, Ramesh Rawale, an idol maker, said, "The demand is surely increasing every year for taller Ganesha idols and even after rates have skyrocketed, people demand to see idols and are willing to pay for them."

What goes into making a Ganesha idol
Twenty five feet-high Ganesha Idol requires 700 kg of Plaster of Paris, which costs about Rs 60,000. Ten workers and 10 days are required to make one idol that is 25-foot tall. Each worker is paid Rs 500 per day. The iron and the wooden material required weighs up to 250 kg that costs up to Rs 50,000. Twenty litres of paint are required for the idol.