As the afternoon sun came down harshly on the city on Thursday, hundreds of vehicles carrying giant-sized colourful Vinayaka idols headed towards the sea at Foreshore Estate for the immersion. By sunset, over 1,000 idols were dumped into the sea, leaving behind a garbage trail along the coastline.
From wooden planks with nails jutting out, to broken heads and limbs of Plaster of Paris Vinayaka idols and food waste, all these marred the Chennai coastline. The trucks lined from the beginning of Marina Loop Road near Light House to the immersion point in Srinivasapuram Beach. Two cranes, towering over the beach, lifted the huge idols and dropped them into the sea.
Hundreds of frustrated policemen were seen asking the people not to venture into the sea and dump the idols only at designated places. However, not many paid heed to the entreaties made over the public address system. By 3.30 p.m, the Marina Loop Road became clogged with trucks and people started getting down at various points on the coastline and started immersing the idols. “We had to ensure the safety of the people who came for immersion. It is a daunting task especially because the sea was rough on Thursday,” added a police officer.
Materials used
While the concern of the security officers has abated, the worries for the city’s residents begin now. The beach is a mess and the sea regularly brings back chunks of Plaster of Paris, strings of wilted garlands, and remnants of the decorations and deposits it on the sands. Clearing the sands will be an arduous task.
Policemen said a majority of the idols were likely made of Plaster of Paris and painted with chemicals. On Thursday many disfigured idols were washed back ashore a few minutes after they were immersed in the sea. “The Madras High Court and police have clearly said that the statues should be made of clay so that they will dissolve after they drown in sea water. But this is not being followed,” said a police officer. Idol sellers claim that these idols are no longer being made in the city. “For the past four years, the idols have not been made in the city due to space constraints. We get them from Chittoor and Tirupati and then sell them in Chennai,” said a lady idol seller on condition of anonymity.
Another idol dealer from Kosapet said that it was not feasible to make idols out of clay. “We can make three-feet high Vinayaka idols made of clay for immersion. But if the height is more than that it will be difficult to transport,” said the seller.
A papier mâché idol that is one foot tall costs ₹1,500 and the cost multiplies depending on the height. “The work on the idols starts during summer. Each part is made separately and then assembled. The idol is then painted using acrylic paints,” added the seller.
