The 15 feet high Ganesh idol in Jhansi has been prepared by sculptor Jitendra and his team in 15 days.

Today is Ganesh Chaturthi. The whole country is celebrating this festival with great pomp. Even in Jhansi, Gajanan Maharaj is present in every house and street. This time more than 3 thousand idols have been sold. But we are telling you the story of the biggest Ganesh idol of the district. This 15 feet high statue is situated in Hansari. For 32 years, the Navyuvak Ganesh Mahotsav Committee has been installing the statue every year. Committee  Bali Sahu, Vice President, said, “The sculptors were making the statue for 32 years. This time he had passed away. We came to know this news a month ago when we reached his house to place the order for the idol.

After this we faced a crisis. No sculptor was ready to make such a huge statue. Then I came to know about sculptor Jitendra. He had made big sculptures earlier also. Ordered them. Then Jitendra made a 15 feet high statue in just 15 days. 

The 15 feet high statue has been made on a trolley, so that there is no problem in carrying it.

12 artisans were employed, no one slept for 4 days
Jitendra, who was making Ganesh idol on Galla Mandi Road outside Laxmigate, said, “My entire family and 12 artisans were making Ganesh idol since March. This time the work of making 125 idols was going on at a fast pace. A few days ago a party came from Hansari. They were demanding a 15 feet high statue. I had the material so I said yes. Since the size of the idol was big, the idol was being made on an iron trolley outside the hall.

Trolley so that there is no problem in carrying it. When I started the clay work on the idol, the monsoon arrived. The rainy season continued from September 6 to September 14. The idol was to be delivered on September 18. In such a situation, preparing the idol became a big challenge. Worked on thestatue for 4 days without sleeping. Then the idol was ready in 15 days. Its price is 51 thousand rupees. This is the biggest statue of Jhansi.”

More than 3 thousand Ganesh idols have been sold in Jhansi this year.

Bhagwat Katha and Raasleela also
Committee Chairman Hoti Singh Yadav said that Ganesh Mahotsav is organized with the cooperation of the villagers. In this, religious programs like Bhagwat Katha for seven days, Raasleel etc. take place at night. Committee member Bhupendra Parihar says that Gajanan Maharaj is seated in the huge pandal. The largest statue in Jhansi resides in Hansari.

Demand for Ganesh idol of Maharashtra
Sajal Shivhare says that the demand for statues of Maharashtra is increasing in Jhansi. We have been buying and selling idols for the past 3 years. Earlier they used to bring 50 idols, but this time they have brought 250 idols from Pen of Maharashtra. In this, 65 percent of the idols have been sold. The finishing and beauty of these statues are amazing, which is attracting people. These idols are expensive, yet people are coming to buy them.

Source credit: Dainik Bhaskar