Stir dampens festival spirit

Vijayawada: Vinayaka Chaviti festival spirit was dampened by the ongoing Samaikyandhra stir in the city. Uncertainty, drastic rise in prices of essential commodities and disinterest among people have contributed to the dull festivities this year. The prices of essential commodities, including vegetables, are already in the sky beyond the reach of lower and middle class people. Adding to it is the Samaikyandhra agitation, which prevented many from celebrating the festival with usual enthusiasm.

The prices of Ganesh idols have gone up by 25 to 35 per cent compared to last year. Increase in the price of raw material used for preparation of POP idols have attributed to the price rise apart from demand from the public. Most of the apartments, gated communities, colonies have set up more than 500 pandals where the idols are worshiped for nine days.N Suresh, a seller of these idols at Kanuru said that a two feet idol is priced between Rs 2000 to Rs 2600. Prices have increased due to the scarcity of raw material and abnormal hike craftsmanship charges.

However, the idols set up at a few centres of the city have gained importance owing to their special appearance. One Town area was all decorated with different kinds of idols which include an idol made up of paddy (coloured) in Pujari Street, one made of 16 kilos of campher (Karpuram), another idol at Kailasagiri with emphasis on the idol and another one set up along with the Lord Krishna on chariot.A special Samaikyandhra Ganesha was set up in Sammetavari Street. The idol is made of 16 quintals of sand. It depicts Ganesha aiming an arrow at president of Telangana Rashtra Samithi K Chandrasekhar Rao.