High demand for Ganesh idols resembling Chhota Bheem boosts artisans' profit

Kolkata: Increase in demand for Ganesh idols that resemble Chhota Bheem, which a character in an animated comedy adventure television series for children, is helping idol makers sell more than 1,000 deities at Kumartuli.

"Nowadays, we are making varieties of Ganesh idols. The demand for Chhota Bheem has increased three folds. We have sold more than 1,000 Ganesh idols," said Indrajit Paul, an artisan at Kumartuli.

While the Ganesh Utsav or puja is considered as one of the most important festivals in Maharashtra, the craze is also increasing Bengal. The festival is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi or Ganeshot or Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a 10-day festival celebrated with zeal and great fervour in Mumbai and Gujarat.

Ganesh puja is usually celebrated in the last week of August or in the first week of September.

This year, Ganesha puja will be celebrated on September 2, exactly a month ahead of Durga puja.

Paul, who is also a scriptwriter and short film maker, pointed out that Ganesh idols made at Kamartuli are also sold throughout the year.

"Kumartuli is a place where idols are made 365 days. Buyers come here from all across the world. We also sell Ganesha idols which are used in film sets," he said.

Depending upon the shape and size of the idol, the cost of the lord Ganesha deity varies from Rs 8,000 to Rs 1 lakh. First, the structures of the Ganesh is prepared and then the structure is filled up with soil.

Once the soil becomes dry, the colours are painted on the idol. Ganesha puja is celebrated in homes as well in pandals.

"Bagh Bazaar is the place where 18 to 20 ft Ganesh deity is worshipped," Paul added.

"It (Ganesh puja) is not mandatory. But we do celebrate with zeal. Except a few hymns, the Ganesh puja is similar to that of Durga puja," said Rakesh Kumar Thar, an advocate and resident of Picnic Garden.