Kolhapur, September 12 (Daily Kiran) : The vibrant festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is set to be celebrated on September 14, and preparations are in full swing across India. As the festival approaches, the trends surrounding Ganesh idols are also shifting. Traditional attire, including dhoti, fenta, and decorative garments, is gaining popularity among artisans.
A sculptor from Kolhapur shared insights about the new trends in Ganesh attire, noting that the adornment of idols with dhoti, fenta (royal turban), and shela (shawl) has become a preferred choice. To meet the demand, artisans start preparing for the festival six months in advance. This sculptor has been crafting and decorating Ganesh idols for the past six years, and he mentioned that this particular trend has only recently taken root in Kolhapur.
He produces approximately 5,000 to 6,000 Ganesh idols each year, with around 600 dressed in dhoti and 400 adorned with fenta for this season. The materials for dressing the idols are sourced from Surat, while jewelry is procured from Mumbai and Delhi. The sculptor, along with his brother, is pursuing a degree in fashion technology engineering and runs this business as a full-time job.
As the festival nears, devotees are flocking to markets to purchase idols, which range in price from 100 to 12,000 rupees. However, sculptors in Delhi report a decrease in buyers compared to last year, although they remain hopeful for better sales as the festival date approaches.
Hori Lal, a sculptor from Delhi, expressed concern about the low sales this year, stating that the customer turnout has been disappointing. In previous years, customers would book their idols well in advance, but this year has seen a significant drop in pre-bookings, leaving many idols unsold.
Another sculptor from Delhi, Omendra Singh, highlighted his use of plain clay for idol-making, incorporating minimal chemicals to ensure that the colors dissolve easily in water during immersion. He attributed the low customer turnout to rising prices but remains optimistic that sales will pick up before the festival on September 14 and 15.
The anticipation for Ganesh Chaturthi continues to build, with artisans and devotees alike preparing for the celebrations ahead.
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