Nagpur:
As Nagpur celebrates the 10-day long Ganesh festival, artisans in the city are disappointed. Hundreds of idols of the God are still unsold, a sign of the impact of recession on festivities this year.
Artisans are sitting surrounded by finished and unfinished idols of all sizes. Paint and brush have been kept aside for now, as the idols are just not selling. At Chitaar Oli, a 200-year-old artisans' colony in Nagpur, there are hundreds of unsold Ganeshas lined up standing witness to the impact of the economic slowdown on festivities.
It's the worst artisan Atul Kharpate has seen in the 20 years that he has been working.
Kharpate says: ''This had never happened before. Every one of us has idols left unsold." This year, most buyers have opted for plaster of Paris idols as those are cheaper, though not eco-friendly.
Even Ganesh mandals, that buy made-to-order clay models, have gone for the inexpensive option this year. The less-visible impact is cost cuts in the day-to-day celebrations.
A member of the Nav Ganesh Utsav Mandal, Nagpur, says: ''We have also cut costs on decoration. We plan to cut costs on prasadam too because sugar is too expensive.'' A not so sweet offering for the Lord of new beginnings, who devotees hope, will bring better tidings for next year.