Gandhinagar, September 21 (Daily Kiran) : The Gujarat Institute of Clay Craftsmanship and Rural Technology announced on September 21 that artisans sold over 23,500 eco-friendly Ganesh idols during a week-long state fair held earlier this month. This initiative, supported by the state government, generated approximately ₹5 crore for 361 registered artisans.
The ‘Mati Murti Mela-2026,’ organized by the Cottage and Rural Industries Department from September 8 to 14, saw sales across five locations in Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat. The state government provided 186 tons of ready-to-use clay and offered free sales stalls under a 100% subsidy scheme to participating artisans.
Ahmedabad’s Vastrapur, hosting the most lucrative sales, recorded earnings exceeding ₹1.91 crore. Surat’s Adajan sold the highest number of idols, with 7,920 idols generating over ₹1.11 crore. In Vadodara, 79 stalls at the Parsi Agiary ground brought in ₹85.77 lakh, while the Sabarmati Riverfront recorded ₹77.99 lakh from 124 stalls. The Bopal Handicraft Haat in Ahmedabad achieved sales of ₹32.55 lakh through 30 stalls.
This fair is part of the state government’s efforts to promote clay idols as an alternative to plaster of Paris (POP) idols during the Ganesh festival. Historically, around 90% of Ganesh idols in Gujarat were made from POP, which poses environmental risks as it does not dissolve in water, affecting aquatic life and water sources. To address this, the government launched an incentive scheme for clay idol makers in 2015-16.
Under this scheme, registered artisans receive clay at a subsidized rate of 50%, along with free sales stalls and daily assistance of ₹1,000 during the fair. The government reported a decline in the use of POP idols across the state due to these initiatives.
Additionally, the program included an educational component, engaging over 84,500 students from 302 schools across 10 districts in live demonstrations and activities related to clay idol making. These initiatives were part of the National Education Policy aimed at raising awareness about environmental issues.
The scheme not only provides economic support to artisans but also promotes traditional skills and environmental conservation, helping improve livelihoods. The government plans to continue such fairs in the coming years to further the goal of a self-reliant Gujarat contributing to a self-reliant India.
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