Adding embellishments and studs on Ganpati idols has become highly popular in recent times. Not only studs, but people are increasingly demanding idols adorned with expensive jewellery, clothing, and accessories. Ganesh Chaturthi has come to be associated with pageantry owing to a variety of socio-economic and cultural factors, shares Deepak Durge - an idol-maker from Girgaum

Devotees have stylised demands for the drape styles on Ganesha’s body. To cater to the evolving demands, Sagar Panchal, an idol-maker from Labaug, has come up with creative draping styles – one where the drape flows from both the shoulders of Ganesha, one where He is clad in Kurta with a drape on one shoulder and another where the drape flows from the right shoulder and left arm

There is a growing demand for diamond and artificial jewellery on Ganesha idols at Panchal’s studio as well. Artisanal creativity to be noted here is in the variety of diamonds with shapes ranging from round to rhomboid to square studs. Moreover, the pagdis come in innovative styles too – some based on elaborate fabric folds, some in traditional forms, while some decked with flowers

Commenting on the shifting trends, Durge defines this as a major deviation from Hindu shastras which lay out the principles of deity worship. The primary intent of this idol is devotion; it should be a plain representation of the deity that bridges the devotee with the divine. Adorning it with vivid colours and ornaments drives us away from the sacred tradition of Ganesha worship

Durge informs that out of 100, 90 statue manufacturers drape Ganpati idols in grandiosity due to changing demands. “The traditional appearance of Ganpati idols is vanishing from the market. It does exist in the nooks of Girgaum but is being gradually replaced with pompous-looking Bappas"