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.
It’s important to celebrate responsibly and consider the environment.” The flower market also experienced a surge in demand, with prices skyrocketing due to the high volume of purchases. Marigolds, a staple in Ganesh Chaturthi decorations, saw a significant price hike, with a kilogram costing up to Rs150, compared to the usual price of Rs80-100.
By afternoon, the city was filled with the vibrant sounds of dhol-tasha as large Ganesha idols from public pandals began to arrive. The enthusiasm reached its peak as grand processions, adorned with colorful decorations, lights, and music, paraded through the city streets, welcoming Lord Ganesha with fervor. However, the festive mood was briefly interrupted by a spell of rain that began on Saturday evening.
As many Ganesh Utsav mandals were transporting their idols to pandals, the rain threatened to dampen the spirits. Nevertheless, the youth participating in the processions remained undeterred. Rohan Patil, a member of a local Ganesh Utsav mandal, remarked, “A little rain can’t stop us from celebrating Bappa’s arrival.
We’ve been preparing for this day for weeks, and we’ll continue to dance and celebrate, come what may.”.
