Here it starts…. Ganesh Utsav begins today, and Ganesh idols are one too many. If the tallest idol comes up in Sahid Nagar at the behest of Winner Association Club, the second tallest idol is being made in Kharvel Nagar by Sandhiya Sathi Sangha. A report by Monalisa Patsani
BHUBANESWAR: With the Ganesh Chaturthi season setting in, beautifully crafted puja pandals are springing up in various parts of the capital. Preparations are in full swing as artists, idol-makers and pandal-builders are busy giving the final touches to their colourful and tastefully crafted creations. The devotional start of the festival is August 25, Friday. Ganesh Chaturthi signifies the birth of Lord Ganesh, and it is marked by traditional fervour, devotion and gaiety. The idols of the Lord in different shapes and sizes are worshipped at hundreds of settings, streets across streets, educational institutions, private firms, government offices, and at pandals in public places, besides at temples. Ganesh Utsav is one of the most important festivals in Orissa and it’s celebrated with much fervor, fun and gaiety. Like every year, this time too it will be celebrated for more than five days in Bhubaneswar whereas in Jatni, more famous for the puja, it will be celebrated for 12 days. Around 300 small and big puja pandals are in the making at various market complexes, housing colonies and elsewhere. The oldest club in the city Usha Alok in Master Canteen area is giving finishing touches to its pandal. This year, a budget of Rs 5 lakh has been earmarked by the club for the purpose. The 13-feet idol looked splendid. If the tallest Ganesh idol here will come up in Sahid Nagar at
the behest of Winner Association Club, the second tallest idol is being made in Kharvel Nagar by Sandhiya Sathi Sangha. “The tallest idol will be of 20feet and artistes from Old Town are working on it. The design is simple, but
we will make the face of the lord look like the original African elephant head,” said Sunil Kumar Behera, assistant secretary to the puja committee. The Puja pandal at Ashok Nagar by the Ashok Nagar Youth Association will be another attraction. This year, the puja committee has decided to make a Jhulan Ganesh and the pandal will look like a palace. “Artists from Balakati are making the idol and the major attraction will be that the body of the idol will have pearls and gem-stone works. Around three lakh is being spent on this. This apart, there will be distribution of special prasad every day,” said Yajna Prasad Panda, president of the puja committee.
Eco-friendly idol more popular
Unlike other cities, the denizens here are preferring eco-friendly idols. Most of the idols being sold at the Market Building are made with ecofriendly products. Akshaya Kumar Sahoo, a vendor selling the idols said, “Idols made with Plaster of Paris is not popular among Oriya people. Most of the idols are made by artists from Midnapore and Athagarh. The prices range from Rs 50,000 to Rs 10,000.”