Clay Ganesh idols in demand in Vijayawada as Vinayaka Chaturthi nears

Demand for clay Ganesh idols has risen in Vijayawada ahead of Vinayaka Chaturthi, with environmentalists and non-governmental organisations campaigning for eco-friendly worship to curb water pollution.

Schools and NGOs in the city have held clay idol-making competitions over the past few days. With the festival a day away, some organisations stepped up their outreach, explaining why households and pandals should install clay idols.

A Class X student, P. Srivatsa, preparing idols for a competition, said clay was needed for puja to prevent pollution of rivers and canals, adding that idols made of plaster of Paris, colours and iron rods pollute waterways.

Artist Bhagavat, making arrangements to sell clay idols in the city on Saturday, said even pandal organisers were buying clay idols this year and that demand was high.

Idols are being made in Ayodhya Nagar, Bhavanipuram, Ibrahimpatnam and other parts of Vijayawada, and devotees have been visiting the market to view the displays put up for sale. Some NGOs and traders are also arranging free distribution of clay idols at certain centres.

Not everything has gone smoothly. P. Suryanarayana of Krishnalanka said heavy rainfall over the past two days had caused a shortage of clay, and he was searching for the material because his daughter, Ravali, insisted on performing puja with a clay idol.