Bengaluru, 11 September (H.S.): With only a few days remaining for the Gowri Ganesha festival, markets across Bengaluru are bustling with activity as colourful idols in traditional and contemporary designs attract devotees and bulk buyers.

Prominent idol markets in Banashankari, Pottery Town and Malleshwaram are displaying Ganesha idols in a wide range of sizes, colours and styles. Among the popular designs are Maharaja Ganesha, guitar-playing Ganesha and idols seated on Nandi, a peacock or a coiled snake. A distinctive version depicts Ganesha in the form of Shiva, holding a trishul and damru.

Saravana Kumar, an idol seller in Pottery Town, said prices begin at ₹450 and can reach ₹1 lakh, depending on an idol's size and workmanship. Several traders purchase idols in bulk from Pottery Town and resell them elsewhere in the city at higher prices.

The Maharaja design, inspired by the elaborate Ganesha idols seen in Mumbai, remains particularly popular. A five-foot idol in this style is priced between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000.

Amar, who owns Vinayak Enterprises in Banashankari, said the difficulty in sourcing skilled workers and raw materials prompted him to order large idols from Hosur in Tamil Nadu nearly a year in advance.

Ganesha idols measuring between 10 and 12 feet and depicted playing a guitar or sitting on Nandi are priced at around ₹55,000. The Shiva-styled version costs nearly ₹60,000. Conventional designs showing Ganesha seated on a mouse or lion are also available.

Traditional Gowri idols remain equally sought after. Mahith of Gubbi Mane in Malleshwaram said the shop's idols are hand-painted.

This year's collection includes Seru Gowri, traditionally worshipped in Mysuru, Bande Gowri, Mysore Muddu Gowri and Arshinada Gowri - a cone-shaped idol made using turmeric and water. These idols are priced between ₹450 and ₹6,000.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman