Kanpur: Strangely enough, the sale of idols for Ganesh Chaturthi beginning from Sept 10, will remain meagre due to the main reason of money matter with the crafters.
What goes around the market is that there will remain a shortage of big sized idols of lord Ganesha. It appears to have disappeared from the city markets, as the news reports go.
Reacting to this situation, the idol makers have stated that it was mainly the financial constraints that are compelling them to prepare small idols.
Some of them have prepared idols by taking loans and mortgaging their jewellery, as was told.
It remained very little business last year owing to Covid-19 restrictions, said an idol maker adding that they are fearful of the low sale of idols this festival too.
The 11-day long Ganesh Chaturthi festival will conclude on September 21. On the first day of the festival, devotees worship the idol of Lord Ganesha at their house.
An experienced idol maker maintained that we focus on making the small idols because these are easy to sell in the market. So, we are preparing only small idols as we are also facing a shortage of money.
Enhancing his feeling he cleared that we can make many small idols from the materials needed to make one big idol.
The price of small idols is very less compared to big ones and hence they are easily being sold in the market, he also pointed.
'Last year, we made idols up to 12 feet. But due to lockdown restrictions, the big idols could not be sold. This year, we do not want to take risks,' he added.
He said that the raw materials for making idols have also become quite expensive these days. 'The prices of plaster of Paris and hues of the paint have also boosted.
Comparing the rate of Plaster of Paris and paints, he did not hesitate to tell what was earlier, available in just Rs one hundred was now selling at Rs 150. He was hinting at a price of a sack of POP. Likewise, the price of a bucket of paint is available for varying rates between Rs 700 and Rs 800 or more.
It was though available at Rs 500 last year, he divulged.
Another idol maker Janardan said that his position was so miserable as he had to mortgage his wife's jewellery for purchasing raw materials to prepare idols.
'Now, the future of our lives hangs on the better business this year's festival. If the sale of our products continues insufficient this time too, then we will have to be in a very bad state,' he bemoaned.
