Latest news with #PoPGanesh
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Ganapati makhar makers struggle to meet last-minute demand from homes, housing societies this year
1 2 Pune: The delayed approval for PoP Ganesh idols has not only sparked last-minute demand for such idols but also rushed decorators, who did not prepare decoration setups in advance, anticipating less demand this year. Based on the size of idols, makhars and backdrops are specially customised for homes and housing societies. "Vendors are busy creating makhars for large Ganapati idols. We found a vendor to create a small 3D temple for our home idol after much difficulty. They are saying deliveries might be delayed to around Aug 25," said Jyotsana Nadkarni, a resident of Kothrud. "We contacted our decorator a day after we placed an order for our Ganesh idol. This year, the idols are about 10-15% more expensive than last year owing to the last-minute demand," said Harsha Kamble, a resident of Hadapsar. Customers are demanding eco-friendly makhars and backdrops, said vendors. "We had hardly any orders at the beginning of June, so we just prepared a few basic makhars. Bookings started pouring in at the end of June, and now we are facing high raw material and labour costs. We hope we can make deliveries on time," said a decorator at Sadashiv Peth. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Best SIP Plans for NRIs in Romania – Get ₹2L Monthly Pension | Invest ₹18K PB Learn More Undo You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune Vinayak Makhar, who has his workshop in Mumbai but caters to customers from Pune, Thane, and other regions, said 70-80% of the makhars are hand-painted. "We used to pay labour charges of about Rs 700-800 a day until last year. This year, because there is so much demand, we are paying labour charges of Rs 1,200 per day. We are using foam boards and sun boards to create 2D and 3D makhars," he said. Demand for decorations has also gone up by about 10-15% over last year. Shyam Kandalkar, owner, Omkar Arts, Chinchwad, said LED models of Ganapati asans are trending this year. "Customers who usually bring home idols of the same size now prefer to buy reusable décor. The demand is definitely higher by 10-15% over last year. We are using a lot of hitlon sheets in our décor," he said. Vendors also said PoP idols are lighter than shadu clay idols, so customers are confused about the decorative stands that they should purchase. "We submerge the idol along with an eco-friendly stand, so did not place the order for the makhar until the idol was finalised," said a secretary of a housing society in Pashan who did not wish to be named.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- 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."
