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Fewer PoP idols for Ganeshotsav likely this year in Pune market after late high court ruling
Fewer PoP idols for Ganeshotsav likely this year in Pune market after late high court ruling

Time of India

time3 days ago

  • Entertainment
  • Time of India

Fewer PoP idols for Ganeshotsav likely this year in Pune market after late high court ruling

1 2 3 Pune: Bombay High Court lifted the ban on the manufacture of Plaster of Paris (PoP) idols for Ganeshotsav in June, which may result in fewer PoP idols in the market this year. Idol makers said they have little time to supply enough idols to the market. Hadapsar-based Sandeep Kumbhar and his team make 8,000 idols every year for the festival. This year, he has barely managed to make 6,000. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune "We have little time to prepare idols this year as the court lifted the ban on PoP idols only in June. In addition, the festival has arrived early this year. There is a huge demand, but we might not be able to supply enough idols on time," said Kumbhar, who runs Sandeep Arts. Idol makers usually start making a bulk of PoP idols by Jan every year. This year, however, they were awaiting the court ruling on the manufacture and sale of PoP idols, causing a delay in the process. Mala Dhanvate, a resident of Wanowrie, said, "There is a waitlist for idols. We usually get 1-foot idols, but this year the vendor told me that there is a crunch in the market." Abhijeet Abnave, who sells Ganapati idols in the city, said, "There is definitely going to be a shortage of PoP idols in the market this year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You To Read in 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo The rains have also started early, so idols are taking longer to dry. It takes about four days for each PoP idol to dry. Owing to the increased demand, idols are also 20-25% costlier this year than last year." PoP idols are this year likely to cost Rs 1,000 instead of Rs 700 last year. Nilesh Parsekar, who runs Vishwakarma Arts in Katraj, said there is a shortage of artists, as well. "Owing to the lack of clarity on the manufacture of PoP idols, limited idols were made. Now, there is a rush to make the idols, and labour is in high demand," he said. Artist Bhalchanda Deshmukh from Shukrawar Peth said the demand for Ganapati idols has increased significantly this year from mandals, homes, and even abroad. "We are working day and night to fulfil the demand," he said. Dhananjay Rajput, an artist from Kondhwa Budruk, who has been making idols for the last 25 years, echoed similar sentiments. "We usually make and sell 4,500 idols every year. This year, we have made only 2,500. We are paying the same warehouse rent and labour charges for 2,500 idols, so we have no option but to increase the price," he said. Dinesh Patil, a resident of Aundh, said he'll switch to a clay idol this year, considering the limited supply of PoP models.

Water miracle still flows at Shigao, proving piety can end drought
Water miracle still flows at Shigao, proving piety can end drought

Time of India

time06-07-2025

  • General
  • Time of India

Water miracle still flows at Shigao, proving piety can end drought

Keri: A legend courses along with the water of a channel at Shigao, carrying a holy belief and thwarting all attempts to decode a phenomenon revered by people. At Shigao, Goddess Sateri is the presiding deity and in the vicinity of the temple lies a sacred site locally known as Tirthpanto, on the left bank of the Dudhsagar river. The idol of Lord Ganapati located here is considered hallowed by the villagers. A channel-like structure at Tirthpanto, carved in laterite stone, is believed to take water from the Dudhsagar river into the sacred tank of Kaley. How this water flows into Kaley from Shigao is not known or understood to date. The perennial Dudhsagar river is a lifeline for the villagers of Shigao in Dharbandora, situated on the foothills of the Western Ghats. The river provides the villagers with drinking and irrigation water. Near Tirthpanto lies a sculpture of a two-handed Lord Ganapati. Every year, during Ganesh Chaturthi, locals install a wooden canopy over the clay idol of Lord Ganapati at their homes. The canopy is adorned with natural seasonal wealth comprising fruits, vegetables, and flowers. But before the canopies are brought home, they are set up over the sculpture at Tirthpanto, as villagers seek the blessings of the lord. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Providers are furious: Internet access without a subscription! Techno Mag Learn More Undo Naresh Shigaonkar, a septuagenarian from Shigao, said, 'The local belief is that the water of the Dudhsagar river has been flowing since the hoary past through the underground channel into a sacred tank created by the villagers of Kaley in Sanguem.' The villagers recount a mythical story in which a girl from Shigao married a youth from Kaley. At the time, the village faced a grave paucity of drinking water. 'After the married girl gave birth to a child, her father visited her at Kaley,' a local said. 'He could not bear the pain she had to endure just to fetch drinking water every day. He then visited the temple of Goddess Sateri and invoked her tearfully.' It is believed that the goddess appeared in the father's dream and advised him to take water from the Dudhsagar river in a pot and pour it down to goddess, according to the legend, commanded the daughter not to look back when the water came gushing in. It is believed that the daughter, ecstatic by the sight of the water, forgot to adhere to the edict. As a consequence, the daughter turned into a lifeless stone sculpture. 'However, from that day, water has been continuously flowing through the outlet in the direction of Kaley inside the tank. Kaley no longer faces a water shortage,' said a local, Santosh Sawant Desai, 59. Villagers of Kaley come to respect the stone sculpture of the daughter as the folk deity.

How to book MSRTC bus tickets and get 15% discount from July 1
How to book MSRTC bus tickets and get 15% discount from July 1

Time of India

time30-06-2025

  • Business
  • Time of India

How to book MSRTC bus tickets and get 15% discount from July 1

Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) is set to offer a 15% discount on fares for passengers traveling over 150km, starting July 1, for advance reservations. This initiative, announced by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, aims to benefit travelers on long and medium-distance routes, including those heading to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi and Konkan for Ganapati celebrations. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Not During Peak Seasons Good News for Pilgrims and Festival Travellers Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Passengers travelling more than 150 km on Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses can now get a 15% discount on advance bookings, starting July 1, announced Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik on who also serves as MSRTC chairman, said the discount will apply to both AC and non-AC buses running on long and medium-distance routes. To get the discount, passengers must book their tickets in advance, either at ticket counters, on the official website, or through the MSRTC mobile the concession won't be available during peak travel times such as Diwali and summer vacations, the MSRTC clarified in its release. Also, those already using other discount schemes will not be eligible for the extra 15% scheme was first announced by Sarnaik on June 1, during MSRTC's 77th anniversary celebrations. The move comes as the corporation continues to recover from financial losses, it recorded Rs 10,324 crore in losses in the 2023-24 financial heading to Pandharpur for Ashadhi Ekadashi on July 6 and those travelling to Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi in August–September can also benefit from the scheme, as long as they meet the distance and booking popular Shivneri AC buses, especially on busy routes like Mumbai–Pune, are also included in the operates nearly 15,000 buses, carrying around 60 lakh passengers daily, and is often called the lifeline of from PTI

Over 1,500 artisans in Kolhapur get busy making PoP Ganapati idols as HC lifts ban two months before Ganeshotsav
Over 1,500 artisans in Kolhapur get busy making PoP Ganapati idols as HC lifts ban two months before Ganeshotsav

Time of India

time11-06-2025

  • General
  • Time of India

Over 1,500 artisans in Kolhapur get busy making PoP Ganapati idols as HC lifts ban two months before Ganeshotsav

Kolhapur: Several artisans hailed Bombay high court's order lifting the ban on manufacture and sale of plaster of Paris (PoP) Ganapati idols this week. At the same time, environmentalists asserted that idol makers should still switch to eco-friendly natural colours to paint their creations. With just over two months left for Ganeshotsav, artisans are already getting busy moulding PoP Ganapati idols. Many makers believe that the HC order will boost demand for PoP Ganesh idols this year. Kiran Majgaonkar, head of the Kolhapur Zilla Murtikar Sanghatana, said, "State govt's position was that sculptors should be allowed to make PoP idols. HC's green light to these idols has brought relief to all Ganesh idol makers. It will benefit all sculptors as well as devotees. Although there is less time now, since Ganesh Chaturthi is on Aug 27, the process of making Ganesh idols will speed up." He estimated that there are at least 1,500 idol-making artisan families across the Zilla Parishad (ZP) areas engaged in this craft. Another artisan, Murli Majgaonkar, said, "Clay idols are heavy as well as costly, which is why people demand PoP idols. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo There are limitations in the availability of good quality clay. The ban's lifting will increase demand for PoP idols this year as in Kolhapur, people usually immerse Ganapati idols in artificial immersion tanks." Over 3 lakh Ganesh idols are made in Kolhapur district annually, with at least 2 lakh being household idols. A span of six months is usually taken by artisans to make the idols. In Kolhapur city, Ganesh idols are primarily made in the kumbhar galli (potter's lane) in areas like Bapat Camp, Shahupuri, and Gangawesh. KMC provides artificial immersion tanks across areas to avoid immersion of idols in the Panchaganga river and water bodies like Rankala, Kalamba, Rajaram, and Kotitirth lakes. Commenting on the latest development, environmentalist Uday Gaikwad said, "Kolhapur residents have long been taking the initiative to celebrate an eco-friendly Ganeshotsav since 1989. The civic administration has also supported it. Now, even artisans should switch to eco-friendly natural colours so that this festival can go totally eco-friendly here."

Soon, travelling from Mumbai to Goa with your car on a train might be possible; find it how
Soon, travelling from Mumbai to Goa with your car on a train might be possible; find it how

Time of India

time07-06-2025

  • Automotive
  • Time of India

Soon, travelling from Mumbai to Goa with your car on a train might be possible; find it how

Imagine packing your bags, driving your car onto a train, and relaxing in comfort while your vehicle hitches a ride alongside you all the way from Mumbai to Goa. This could soon be a reality as Konkan Railway plans to roll out a unique travel experience allowing passenger vehicles like cars and SUVs to be transported on trains. The experiment is likely to begin as early as this Ganapati festival season. Konkan Railway has already been a huge success with its 'Roll-on Roll-off' (Ro-Ro) facility that carries trucks over specially constructed wagons. Not only does this system reduce fuel consumption and travel time, but it also helps disperse traffic on the congested Konkan roads. Encouraged by the efficiency and popularity of this facility, the railway authority now wishes to experiment with its applicability to private passenger vehicles. Santosh Kumar Jha, Managing Director and Chairman of Konkan Railway added that they they have been transporting trucks for years, and might consider allowing private passenger vehicles too. What is the Ro-Ro model? Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) is a model where trucks are loaded onto specially adapted train wagons through a ramp system. These carriages are made in such a way that trucks are able to roll in and be parked safely. The maximum height of loaded vehicles is 3.425 m above road level. Truck drivers and their attendants accompany the vehicles and sleep within the cabin as they travel. The Ro-Ro service presently runs from Kolad in Maharashtra to Mangalore in Karnataka. To maintain cost-effectiveness, the train service only runs when there are at least 40 trucks available. The same will be the case with the passenger vehicle variant. Benefits for travelers The plan has thrilled both tourists and everyday commuters. Traveling by car from Mumbai to Goa normally takes 10 to 12 hours and involves sharp turns, ghats, and heavy lorries on the road. With the Ro-Ro passenger vehicle model, travelers can save time and energy, lower carbon footprints, and enjoy a leisurely ride while their cars are transported safely alongside. The concept is particularly favorable during monsoon , when landslides and waterlogging render highway travel unreliable. With the rail-based option, tourists can steer clear of pothole-filled roads and use their travel time for reading, relaxation, or witnessing scenic railway vistas. Konkan Railway is also making its infrastructure monsoon-proof. In a notable step, it has cut down the monsoon timetable duration by 10 days, which reflects enhanced preparedness. The monsoon schedule this year will be from June 15 to October 20. Further, Jha elaborated about new safety measures for the monsoon season, such as deployment of 636 trained personnel for round-the-clock monitoring of vulnerable zones, reduced train speeds during poor visibility, installation of LED signals, and automated rain gauges at nine key stations to monitor rainfall intensity. If the pilot run succeeds, it can open the door for increased Ro-Ro services all over India, particularly other busy tourist routes. So this Ganapati season, rather than taking to the road, you might be able to take the train with your favorite car as a companion. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change

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