Nagpur: The city was abuzz with excitement as Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations kicked off on Saturday. Over two lakh families brought Ganesha idols home, marking the beginning of a ten-day-long festive extravaganza . The iconic Chitar Oli lanes in the old city witnessed an unprecedented rush as people flocked to buy idols.
The lanes were teeming with buyers throughout Friday night. Several exhibitions across the city, including Dhantoli, Ramdaspeth, and other areas, resembled bustling fairs, with hundreds of people pouring in and vehicles lining up outside. Saturday morning brought with it a surge of enthusiasm as people scrambled to find the perfect idol for their homes.
The market was noticeably different this year, with a significant reduction in fancy Ganesha idols. Sculptors attributed this to the ban on Plaster of Paris (POP), which offers more flexibility in sculpting compared to clay. “POP allows for experimentation with various poses and designs,” said Mayur More, a sculptor.
“But with clay, there are limitations. As a result, most household idols are in traditional seating positions.” Several buyers expressed satisfaction with their selections after visiting multiple shops.
Rajesh Sharma, a resident of Sadar, said, “I visited at least five shops before finding the perfect idol for my family. It’s a beautiful clay Ganesha, and we’re excited to bring Him home.” Another buyer, Sneha Pathak, said, “Eco-friendly aspect of clay idols makes it worthwhile.
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