Ganesh Chaturthi 2012, Pune: Idols

In my post from yesterday I wrote the following:

"Two to three months before Ganesh Chaturthi, artistic clay models of Lord Ganesha are made for sale by specially skilled artisans. They are beautifully decorated and depict Lord Ganesh in poses. The size of these statues may vary from 3/4 of an inch to over 70 feet."

There are a lot of discussions and trends going on, like the ones we saw e.g. around the use of gulal, the color powder used at Holi (for more info you can read my post  http://tanguerainsingapore.blogspot.in/2012/03/holi-turns-tragic.html ) and around our Christmas trees (real or fake, reuse or not).

Hot topics are: how to celebrate it in a 'green' way (ecologically responsible) and in a safe way (health wise).

In the old days, the idols were made out of natural clay, which dissolves in water. The last decades they are made out of POP (Plaster of Paris) and decorated with toxic paints. Both not biodegradable and highly polluting rivers and environment.

So now there is a call to the public to use natural, degradable materials. Other suggestions are to only symbolically immerse your idol and to keep en reuse it next year. And/or to not each buy you own idol, but to buy one with a group of people, e.g. your neighbours.

There is a separate discussion wether it is possible to make really large  eco-friendly  idols. The maximum size of the idols is btw restricted in Pune, due to the height of electricity cables.
In Mumbai they don't have those restrictions. That's why idols there can be really, really huge!!!!

Eco-friendly or not, since some weeks there are Ganesh idols for sale everywhere and in all sizes. Being a lover of religious statues, preferably in the brightest colors, I LOVE seeing all the idols. Unfortunately it is way too impractical to bring them over to Holland, but oh, how I would adore to have some bigger ones in my house and garden!!!!

We bought one for in the hotel room. He is accompanied by the towel elephant, made by our cleaning man and the small Ganesh that was given to us by the hotel.

Cute trio, not?! I hope to be able to take also the larger one back home, but he weighs 1,5 kg!

So once you bought your idol, you want to set him up in your house and maybe create a nice altar and seat for him. A place where you can do you worshipping and put your offerings.

The most fantastic altars and seats are for sale, made out of tempex and then painted. Again, how I would LOVE to have this at home!!!

A set, including a crown for your Ganesh.

There are also some other deities for sale, like these ladies. As a whole or in parts, to be combined to your likings.

Most of the idols seen in this post will be bought for in private homes. 

How about the larger ones, put up by associations and temples? More about those tomorrow. Have a nice day!