Hyderabad shifts to eco-friendly Ganeshas; POP used only for largest idols

Hyderabad’s idol makers are shifting from Plaster of Paris to eco-friendly clay Ganeshas. While Dhoolpet artisans still use PoP for large idols, demand for clay idols is surging—especially from NRIs and civic bodies. Prices have risen amid higher material costs.

Hyderabad: Moving towards more environmental consciousness and sustainability, Hyderabad this year too continues on the path of shifting from traditional Plaster of Paris (POP) idols to eco-friendly Ganeshas.

Idol makers in Dhoolpet, the hub for idol making in the city, over the years has minimized the use of PoP by preferring clay brought from Kuch (Kachchh) in Gujarat. Scores of artisans have been embracing this change, experimenting with PoP mixed materials and natural dyes.

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The traditional idol makers of Dhoolpet however are using PoP mixed clay to make large-sized idols, ranging from 9 feet to 21 feet Ganesha idols.

“POP is not biodegradable and contributes to water pollution when immersed in water bodies after the festival. As a result, there is a conscious effort to minimize its use,” Manoj Singh, an artisan in Dhoolpet, told ‘Telangana Today’.

Every year, idol makers in Dhoolpet make 30,000 Ganesh idols in their workshops in different sizes, ranging from five feet to 23 feet.

n the other hand, over 30 clay idol makers across the city are busy making eco-friendly clay idols following bulk orders from government agencies, including GHMC, HMDA, and TSPCB, as well as resident welfare associations.

“These eco-friendly idols not only help in preserving the environment but also maintain the cultural and artistic essence of the festival,” said Guru Murthy, one of the idol makers in Kukatpally.

Another clay idol maker, Ravi Chandu, who has been making clay idols for the past three years, said, “The trend of placing bulk orders by the NRIs and people who are working abroad for the clay idols (one foot and two feet sizes) has increased incredibly.”

This year, idol prices increased by 10 to 15 % for PoP idols and 15 to 20 % for eco-friendly idols due to a surge in material costs in the market.

Meanwhile, clay works at Khairatabad Ganesh pandal at a brisk pace to build 69 ft Sri Vishwashanti Maha Shakti Ganapathi. Over 30 skilled artisans in clay idols are making it.

Dhoolpet idol makers shift idol marketing to Jalpally and other areas:

The idol makers from Dhoolpet have moved their marketing to Jalpally and other areas as their locality experiences heavy traffic jams every year ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi.

The by-lanes and main roads in Dhoolpet usually get packed with mini trucks and big trolleys transporting idols within the city and neighbouring states. Thus, traffic regulation has become a challenging task for the traffic cops.