Clay work on 69-feet tall eco-friendly Khairatabad Ganesh in full swing, 50 artisans shaping gigantic idol

The iconic 69-foot Khairatabad Ganesh idol is taking shape rapidly, with over 60 per cent clay work completed. Crafted by artisans from Tamil Nadu and Odisha, this year’s eco-friendly idol follows the theme "Sri Vishwashanthi Maha Shakthi Ganapathy" for Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27

Hyderabad: The works on shaping the Khairatabad Ganesh idol are at a brisk pace at the pandal.

As of now, over 60 per cent of the clay work of the popular idol during Vinayaka Chaturthi festivities has been completed. This year, the Khairatabad Ganesh will bless the devotees with the theme of Sri Vishwashanthi Maha Shakthi Ganapathy.

Over 50 artisans from Tamil Nadu and Odisha are crafting to complete the 69-feet-tall eco-friendly idol in time for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival on August 27.

“The Ganesh Utsav Committee is set to complete the idol by August 20 and following the completion of the clay work, natural colours will be used to enhance its appearance,” sculptor Rajendran, who was associated with shaping the Khairatabad Ganesh for more than five decades, told ‘Telangana Today’. The dedication and skill of the artisans will be evident in the intricate details of the idol, which is expected to attract lakhs of devotees, he said.

According to Rajendran, over 800 bags of clay (each bag contains 35 kg) brought from Gujarat are being used for the idol. “The clay is mixed with water to form a paste and then dry grass is included. The mixture is subsequently applied to the entire idol, starting from the feet and up to the head. The specialty of the clay enriched the idol’s beauty, and it melts quickly soon after immersion,” he said.

Rajendran said for the idol sculpting, the associated personnel have been involved with complete devotion and during the three months, Sathvik food, which is prepared in the pandal’s kitchen, is served to them. All the artisans abstain from non-vegetarian food and alcohol during this period.

For the first time in 2020, the Khairatabad Ganesh idol was made with clay, and the Ganesh Utsav Committee is continuing this tradition to promote eco-friendly practices during the festival.

“The committee’s decision aligns with the growing awareness of environmental conservation. The Khairatabad Ganesh idol is renowned for its grandeur and attracts numerous devotees each year. The shift to clay idols is a significant step towards sustainable celebrations,” said S Raj Kumar, chairman of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Committee.