Ganesh idols to cost more

This year with a 15 per cent hike in prices of materials like plaster of paris (PoP), colours and transportation expenses, the Ganesha idols are likely to cost more. Consequently, sales in the city may come down by 50 per cent as compared to last year.

With just a few weeks left for the Ganesha Chaturthi festival, idol-makers in Nashik are busy giving final touches to the idols. Every year, a 10-day long Ganesha festival is held in Nashik.

Around 1.5 lakh idols are sold in the city alone. Prices range between Rs 21 to Rs 8,000. As there are 25 idol-makers in the city, 30 per cent idols are made there itself, while the rest reach Nashik from Konkan, Ahmednagar, Gujarat and Rajasthan. About 1000 Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals had installed idols last year.

Total turnover during the festival is estimated at Rs 2.5 crore. With an average of Rs 100 per idol, sales touch Rs 1.50 crore, while the rest of the turnover in the city comes from the pandals, expenditure on processions, sale of gulal, sweets and flowers.

Last year, 80 idol-makers came to the city , out of which 50 were from Rajasthan and Gujarat, while the rest were from Konkan and Ahmednagar. The turnover of each of these idol-maker, was between Rs 30,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh.

But, situation is a little bleak this year. Not a single idol-maker from Konkan has come to the city because of the heavy rains, which damaged 40 per cent of their idols. Only 10 idol-makers from Rajasthan and Gujarat have come.

Even they, have fewer idols compared to last year, as they too have suffered losses from damage to their material in the rains, which are still lashing the city.

Shiva Marwadi, who comes here every year from Gujrat said , "Last year, I sold 300 Ganesha idols, amounting to Rs 2 lakh. But this year the rains have hit our business badly.

This time, I could make only 125 idols which are six inches to 7' in height. Out of 400 bags of PoP, 250 were damaged. Also, the paint on the idols is not drying due to incessant rains. We will have to increase prices of Ganesh idols to manage our losses."

Added Amarbhai Solanki from Ahmedabad, "I have come here with six workers and 400 bags of PoP, out of which,168 have been damaged due to rains. Last year, 80 idols worth Rs 1.50 lakh were sold . This year too, I have made 75 idols but wonder whether I would be able to recoup my costs and earn a profit."

Meanwhile, local idol-makers appear to break even, as most of their idols have been booked. "Last year, the market was dull and about 30 Ganesha idols remained unsold. This year, we expect good demand. I have made 2000 of them and all are booked. Shortage of Ganesha idols may double the price too," said Sham More, a Nashik based idol-maker.