Festive fever rises, idols in demand

“It is Shiva’s boon”, says Devi Das Rathore, proudly pointing at a particularly big idol of Ganesha. “He said that Ganesha would be worshipped before him, and look how the elephant-headed god has risen to prominence! I sell idols of Ganesha throughout the year.”

With his shop across the Panchkuyian road, this idol seller from Rajasthan has much to offer. Thirty five years into the profession, the genial idol maker knows all about the nuances of idol making. Devi Das and his family start making idols two months prior to the festival. While some idols are mass produced using rubber moulds, others are custom designed and made to order. After the idols are extracted from the moulds, they are left to dry and then painted.

Although Indians celebrate many festivals throughout the year, Ganesh Chaturthi, has gained special attention and has become increasingly popular with the Delhiites, he informed. “This festival has become a favourite with the people of Delhi. The grand celebrations in Delhi top the revelry, pomp and splendour that are the essence of this festival in Maharashtra’’, he said. Over the last three years, Delhi has witnessed a marked rise in the number of celebrations. Ganesha, derived from the Sanskrit words Gana and Isha, has truly become the reigning god for today’s generation. “People book idols beforehand”, said Devi Das. “As the festival approaches, the prices are hiked.”

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten day festival celebrated in the honour of Ganesha’s birthday. As the festival ends, the idols are immersed in water bodies.  “We are careful not to use lead based paints as it harms the environment. We only use kaccha paint (organic dye)," said Devi Das.