Thanks to media campaign and awareness among people, a majority of those who are celebrating Ganesha festival in various parts of the district are going for eco-friendly idols.
The eco-friendly Ganesha idols are available at all sizes starting from six inches.
Thota Kiran Kumar, a resident, had taken up making eco-friendly idols last year on a small scale. But now, he is a busy person with several orders coming his way from various parts of the district.
During Ganesha festival last year, Kiran Kumar began making the idols using hay, jute, bamboo sticks and black soil, that were locally available.
He also used water colours with the help of artisans from West Bengal. Incidentally, there was a good response to his initiative as many bought the idols.
This year, he has orders for making more than 700 eco-friendly Ganesha idols of various sizes.
“Since the last eight months, 14 artisans from West Bengal are making the idols,” Kiran Kumar said, adding that he has already secured orders for supplying eco-friendly goddess Durga idols for the ensuing Dasara festivities.
Ravi, a customer from Godavarikhani, who had ordered a 13-feet idol for installation in the coal belt town, said that these idols were more economical when compared to the idols made of plaster of paris. Besides, these idols have less weight as they are made of hay, bamboo sticks, jute and black soil and it also protects the environment from pollution, he said.
“What’s interesting is that the artisans are also coming up with newer designs for idols on par with the idols made in West Bengal during the Dasara festivities,” he added.
This year, people from all walks of life were showing interest in buying the clay idols. Following the remarkable change in people’s attitude towards protecting the environment, Kiran Kumar said that they would plan to make more clay idols for the ensuing festival season.
