Mumbai Artisan makes 'Sanitiser Idols' ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi amid COVID-19

As Ganesh Chaturthi is around corner, an artisan from Mumbai's Ghatkopar area has made 'sanitiser Ganesha idols' keeping in mind  ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation in country. unique Ganesha idols are installed with sensor machines that dispense sanitiser every time people place ir hands under it.

While speaking to ANI, Nitin Ramdas Chaudhary, an artisan at Pranjal Arts Center, said that he designs idols with invative and interesting mes every year, and this year in view of COVID-19, he made idols that dispense sanitiser.

"Since we believe that Lord Ganesha solves all our problems, I have used sanitiser in weapon of idol. It symbolises that Lord Ganesha will distance this virus from us. When devotees come to take darshans, sanitiser is dispensed through weapon automatically. Despite several efforts by administration and government, COVID-19 pandemic is t reducing," he said.

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're is lesser demand this year'

Due to prevailing COVID situation, demand for Ganesha idols is less this year in comparison to previous years however people have shown ir interest in se unique idols, Chaudhary said. Adding furr he said that this year he has made 2-3 sanitiser dispensing idols so far, and he plans to make more idols if  booking for idol continues.

"re is lesser demand this year, but since people are seeing such as idol for first time, demand is increasing. I have fitted in 2-3 idols, but booking continues. We get orders from different places such as Goa, Kolkata, etc. Customers can book idols online and it will be transported to m, y don't have to come here," he said.

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He also said he faced problems in collecting raw materials used in making idols as he gets it from different parts of country. "But I was determined to make sanitiser Ganesha idols. I have also installed lights in idol which can be operated through a remote," he added.

10-day Ganesh Chaturthi festival will begin on Saturday, August 22 in different states. celebrations end with final immersion of Lord Ganesha idol in water, called  visarjan. festival is celebrated with great grandeur in Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Gujarat and or states.

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(With inputs from ANI)