Chennai, Aug 24:
With Vinayagar Chaturthi just weeks away, colourful and creatively designed Vinayagar idols have begun arriving in Chennai, signalling the start of preparations for one of the city’s major festive occasions.
Vinayagar Chaturthi will be celebrated on September 14 this year, and idol makers across Tamil Nadu have stepped up production to meet the growing demand. Orders have also been placed with artisans in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, with the idols now being transported to Chennai.
The city’s Purasawalkam-Kosapet area has already begun to wear a festive look, with rows of Vinayagar idols displayed along the roadside. Idols ranging from three to five feet in height have been placed prominently, attracting the attention of residents and passers-by.
Among the designs on display are child-form Vinayagar idols and idols depicting the deity holding laddus. The colourful and varied designs have become a visual attraction even before the festival’s celebrations begin.
Traders said the idols are being prepared in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Pollution Control Board. With more consignments expected to arrive in the coming days, the number of idols displayed across the city is likely to increase.
Sales are expected to begin in about a week. Traders have also covered the idols with plastic sheets to protect them from rain as the city continues to experience intermittent showers.
Apart from Kosapet, Vinayagar idols are expected to be available for sale in several parts of Chennai, including Koyambedu, Mylapore and T Nagar.
The idols are priced between Rs 5,000 and Rs 25,000, depending on their size, design and workmanship. With the festival approaching, Chennai’s streets are set to take on an increasingly colourful and festive appearance in the days ahead.