Bangaloreans are all geared to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi with Lord Ganesha in new and varied looks

Many avatars of the funky god

Bangaloreans are all geared to celebrate Ganesha Chaturthi with Lord Ganesha in new and varied looks

Posing with Paul the octopus,u00a0 to resembling the zoozoos, this year Lord Ganesha is ready to bless the city in different avatars based on recent events.

The Football Ganesha, which costs Rs 8,000, is surrounded by 11 footballers and a football with Paul, the octopus, on the top. He is also seen putting a foot forward to kick the ball.

Two puja committees have already ordered this idol.

Explaining why he chose a football theme, 65-year-old Srinivasa, the idol maker, who has been making Ganesha idols for the last four decades, said, "I wanted team India to get inspired by this idol and get us the World Cup next time. Paul is sitting on the football to make it auspicious."

Not only World Cup 2010 but also Zoozoo, mascot for a telecom, Chhatrapati Shivaji Ganesha, Ganesha resembling the laughing Buddha, a bearded Ganesha with a gadau00a0 (Hanuman's weapon) and animated Ganeshas also seemed to be popular with artistes and the devotees.

These idols, made mostly from clay and hay, with recent themes, range from Rs 4,000 to Rs 16,000.

"Bangaloreans have always welcomed changes. Lord Ganesha with a different look is the in-thing this year," said 50-year-old G Shivananada.

City puja committees agree, and say that the change in the look of the idols does not hamper customs and the tradition.

"The look does not change anything. In fact, a different looking Ganesha is a welcome change," said Manju, Gaja Mukha Yuvakara Sangha, Indiranagar organiser who bought a Shivaji Ganesha.