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. 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."