Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesha in his ‘Balroop’ (as a child) are the most in demand this year, idol makers from across the city said.
They have also made Ganesha idols, on Maharashtra and Kolkata patterns as also those themed on Puri’s Jagannath Temple, Ram Darbar and Krishna Leela.
The size of the idol, made of clay is from 2 feet to 15 feet. The 10-day-long Ganeshotsav will begin from August 27. Idol-makers are busy giving finishing touches to images of the Lord of Wisdom.
They have been working on them since May-June. Ganeshotsav Samitis placed orders by just supplying photographs of the idol they want to idol makers who have been into this business for generations.
Rajkumar Prajapati has made idols that would be installed at Roshanpura Square, Kamla Park, Peepal Chowk and many other prominent locations in the city. The tallest idol made by him is 14 feet. The idol for Roshanpura Square is patterned on the leelas (exploits) of Lord Krishna while the one for Kamla Park is themed on Puri’s Jagannath Temple.
Besides Ganesha, the idols of goddess Riddhi-Siddhi and Ganesha’s sons Shubh-Labh will also be installed at Peepal Chowk. Known as ‘Bhopal Ka Raja’, the Peepal Chowk idol has been installed without a break since 1947. He says that he has also made idols showing Lord Ganesha seated inside a temple.
According to Rajkumar, local clay is used for giving basic shape to the idol. Finishing is done with clay from Kolkata and Haryana.
The colours used to paint the images are also procured from outside Bhopal. Abhiraj Prajapati has made idols ranging from 2 feet to 15 feet on Kolkata and Maharashtra patterns.
He said that idols showing the Lord as a child (Balroop) are the most in demand this year. He procures clay from Kolkata, Kanpur, Maharashtra and Raisen. ‘We start work about four to five months before the festival,’ he added.
Hariom has made idols of 6-10 feet. One of them is a 2.5-feet Ganesha idol with Ram Durbar made of thermocol in the background.
