IDOL height restriction relief, a decision too late for Chitar Oli artisans

 

 

The relief in the limit of height of Ganesh Idols that can be installed by ‘Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals’ during upcoming ‘Ganeshotsav’ has made no difference to the size of Ganesh idols being made at Chitar Oli. Restrictions of height underneath Metro stations falling on the way create obstruction in transporting the tall Ganesh idols to their destinations. The average height of the idols being made at the oldest Ganesh idol market in central India is about 15 feet, way less than 30 feet idols being made not so long ago. The Chitar Oli market is the hotspot for idols for all Sarvajanik Mandals and households to get their Idols. The artisans at the lane have been making the idols for generations and are known for their fineness and beauty of Ganesh idols.

 

Earlier, they used to make Ganesh idols of size of almost 30 to 35 feet. The situation changed with government banning the immersion of big Ganesh idols in natural water bodies in and around the city like Ponds, lakes and rivers for the environmental concerns. The Sarvajanik Ganesh Mandals then started to take the idols to places like Kolar river. Later, the government put a limit on height of Idols that was enforced till last year. This year though, the government lifted the limit on height of idols earlier this month.

 

“The preparation for making the Ganesh idol start at least 2 month ago. This decision has came too late to make any meaningful difference,” said one artisan. Even if the decision had came earlier, the height restriction for transport of the idol had limited the size of the idol. “The metro stations in the city and the bridges have restricted the height of the idols in many places. Even last year, one idol had to be tilted backwards to pass below Metro station,” informed another artisan. While, most of the Mandals have opted for regular height idols, those who desire to have taller idols have opted to call the artisans at the place of installation to make the idols.

 

The centuries-old tradition of crafting towering Ganesh idols at Chitar Oli continues to grapple with modern-day restrictions. While the government’s move to lift the height limit aimed to revive the grandeur of Ganeshotsav, the reality of late decisions, transport hurdles caused by metro stations and bridges, and environmental safeguards on immersion have collectively reshaped the festival’s visual scale.