Vizag to pay tribute to India’s textile heritage with 89-ft saree-crafted Ganesh idol

Visakhapatnam: As Ganesh Chaturthi (Vinayaka Chaviti) approaches, Vizag city is all set to witness a unique Ganesh idol made entirely from over one lakh sarees. This first-of-its-kind initiative is aimed at transforming the revered festival into an incredible tribute to India's textile heritage, with the saree — a symbol of classic tradition — taking centre stage. The colossal idol, blending cotton and silk sarees, is set to redefine festive artistry with its vibrant fusion of devotion and creativity.Vizag-based SV Entertainments is setting up the 89-foot tall Ganesh idol — Sri Sundara Vastra Maha Ganesha — made entirely of sarees at the Lanka grounds in Gajuwaka locality of port city. "We have procured cotton and silk sarees from renowned textile hubs of Surat and Mumbai to create the idol. The sarees will showcase India's rich weaving legacy, with their exquisite patterns and quality forming the intricate features of Lord Ganesha," said K Ganesh Kumar from SV Entertainments, which set up the 89-feet ‘Sri Maha Uchchistha Ganapati' idol in 2024. In 2023, they presented ‘Sri Anantha Panchamukha Maha Ganapati' idol, while in 2022, it was the ‘Kailasa Viswaroopa Maha Ganapati'."We have been promoting the tallest eco-friendly Ganesh idol in Vizag city. We chose sarees for this year's idol as it reflects a sustainable approach, emphasizing the deep cultural and emotional connection Indians share with this iconic garment. The sheer scale of using over one lakh sarees makes this idol a record-breaking textile marvel, celebrating both spirituality and craftsmanship," Ganesh Kumar added.A dedicated team of artisans from Chirala in Prakasam district, led by artisan Srikanth, have been working on installing the 89-feet idol made of sarees. The artisans are using eco-friendly materials such as small wooden logs and canes for the framework. Each saree is carefully shaped to capture the divine essence of Lord Ganesha, creating a visual masterpiece that honours tradition while pushing artistic boundaries. The team is aiming to complete the structure by Aug 25, two days before Ganesh Chaturthi, which falls on Aug 27.The ‘Sri Sundara Vastra Maha Ganesha' is expected to attract thousands of visitors during the festivities to witness this distinctive fusion of religious belief and textile artistry. Beyond celebrating the saree as a cultural icon, the initiative aims to ensure that this year's Ganesh Chaturthi in Visakhapatnam will be a memorable showcase of devotion and tradition.Ganesh Chaturthi festivities and rituals will commence on Aug 27 and continue for 21 days. On the final day, organisers of the Ganesh idol will perform special pujas using large quantities of turmeric, kumkum, and flowers. The sarees used in the idol will then be distributed to devotees.GFXGanesh Chaturthi falls on Aug 27Vizag has gained recognition for creating the tallest Ganesh idols in the country for the last few yearsLast year, a 75-feet tall Ganesh idol made of jaggery lumps was installed in the cityMost pandal organizers are using eco-friendly materialsVizag will have over 1,000 Ganesh pandals this year