Bengaluru Ganesha idol trade caught between eco-friendly push and PoP demand

As Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, Bengaluru's idol makers and sellers are navigating a familiar yet uneasy tension: the state government, NGOs, and environmental activists are urging citizens to choose eco-friendly idols, but many customers still prefer coloured idols for home worship and Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols for community pandals.

Visits to traditional hubs such as Pottery Town, Mavalli, and Seshadripuram — areas that have hosted idol markets for over five decades — reveal the complexity of the trade.

Shashikumar, a fourth-generation member of the Kumbara community selling idols at Pottery Town, explained that his family no longer makes idols due to space constraints and a shortage of skilled labour and clay. He now sources idols from makers in Hosur. While he acknowledges the environmental harm caused by PoP idols, he notes that many customers prefer them, and makers invest heavily in their production.

He stressed that awareness campaigns must begin much earlier — ideally in November, right after the previous festival — because that is when artisans invest in materials and labour. Last-minute appeals are ineffective, he said, as the idols have already entered the market.

Shashikumar also pointed out practical limitations with clay: idols as large as six to twelve feet cannot be made from it, as they become too heavy and difficult to structure. Consequently, all large idols are made from PoP and paper.

He added that PoP idols are easier to produce. The material allows for intricate designs and shapes, dries within six hours, and can be painted immediately. Clay idols, by contrast, must be prepared three months in advance to dry properly before painting.

Govardhan, another Kumbara community member, said only about 200 families traditionally buy handmade clay idols from his shop. Making a larger number of eco-friendly idols would result in losses, so he stocks more coloured and moulded versions.

Sourcing clay has become another hurdle. Earlier, it was available near city lakes, but with fewer lakes, makers now buy clay from areas like Bagalur Road and Hoskote. A small load costs around ₹12,000.

On the question of paints, Govardhan said the colours used today are not as harmful as the oil paints of the past, which were poisonous to water bodies. He now uses water-based, chemical-free paints.

However, Nandeesh from Bettahalsuru, who makes only eco-friendly idols, disagreed. He claimed that even water paints contain chemicals and leave residue in water. To protect water bodies, he makes plain clay idols priced between ₹50 and ₹500, limiting himself to idols up to 1.5 feet in height.

Meanwhile, Karnataka's Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Ramalinga Reddy has announced the formation of a Special Operation Team to prevent the manufacturing and sale of PoP Ganesha idols. The team, assisted by local police and other departments, has already inspected 214 shops and warehouses across districts including Shivamogga, Tumakuru, Bagalkot, Haveri, Gadag, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Bidar, Yadgir, Ballari, Koppal, Raichur, and Vijayanagara. A total of 1,283 idols were confiscated for violating guidelines. The minister urged the public to purchase eco-friendly idols to help save lakes.