72-foot clay idol highlight of this year's Vinayaka Chavithi
This year's Lord Ganesh idol has been carved as 'Sri Karyasiddhi Maha Ganapathi'.
The idol, said to be the tallest in Vijayawada, has been crafted entirely with eco-friendly clay. A team of 90 skilled artisans from Odisha has been working tirelessly day and night to complete the idol before the festival. "Creating such a huge idol from clay is tough and complicated. We first shape the iron frame, then each layer of clay must be fixed properly.
When rains come, it damages the surface, and we have to repair the same portion again and again," explained Devender, one of the workers involved in the project.
The recent heavy rainfall in Vijayawada caused setbacks, damaging parts of the idol and forcing artisans to redo several sections. Despite the difficulties, work has been progressing at a steady pace. Organisers said the emphasis this year is not only on size but also on spreading awareness about eco-friendly celebrations.
"We deliberately chose clay instead of Plaster of Paris because we want to inspire others.
If we can show that a massive idol of this scale can be made with clay, smaller organisers will also follow the same path," said Rakesh, one of the organisers overseeing the arrangements.
The idol is expected to draw thousands of devotees once it is unveiled. Alongside prayers and darshan, cultural programmes and community services are also planned at the venue, making the celebration a major highlight of the festival in the city.
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