Varanasi, Oct 16 (UNI) Demand for Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, traditionally crafted from the soil of the Ganges in Kashi, for the grand festival of Diwali to be celebrated across the country on October 20, has surged not only in Purvanchal but also in Delhi and Bihar.
Artisans in the Revdi Talab and Laxmi areas are busy giving the idols their finishing touches. Several members of the Prajapati family have been crafting these idols for decades.
Due to the growing trend towards indigenous products, the demand for clay idols has increased significantly this year. Artisans from the Prajapati artisan group explain that their families begin making the idols after Holi.
After casting the idols in molds, they are dried and hardened, then decorated with colours. The women of the household also participate actively in this work.
Clay idols are considered the most sacred and environmentally friendly. These idols are supplied to several districts, including Ghazipur, Ballia, Mau, Chandauli, Azamgarh, and Gorakhpur.
Traders from Bihar and Delhi also transport large numbers of idols. Special care is taken during packaging to ensure they are not damaged. The more intricately crafted idols command higher prices.

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