Last Updated: September 21, 2023, 17:56 IST
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh is celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with the installation of the country’s tallest Lord Ganesha idol. Standing at a height of 117 feet, the idol is called the Sri Ananta Panchamukha Maha Ganpati. Inspired by the Khairatabad Ganesh idol in Hyderabad, which was installed 69 years ago and stood at 63 feet, the organisers aimed to create the tallest idol in the Telugu states.
To bring this vision to life, 26 artisans from West Bengal, led by Chief artisan Naresh, were involved in the process. The team started their work in June, ensuring the earth was dug for 10 feet to create a strong and balanced foundation for the idol. The idol was completed just in time for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
In the construction of this monumental Lord Ganesha idol, the artisans used one and a half tons of Ganga Matti, a type of clay from Kolkata. Additionally, two tons of another clay variety from a lake near Anakapalli town were utilized, along with a significant amount of grass and over 350 bamboo sticks.
S Ganesh, one of the organisers, explained that in previous years, they relied on artisans from Tamil Nadu. However, due to last year’s incident where an 89-foot idol developed cracks, they decided to assign the project to workers from Bengal this time. To ensure better support, an iron structure was used, and approximately Rs 50 lakh was spent on its construction. A video shared by News18 depicts people eagerly approaching the idol to offer their devotion.
Pandit Venkata Harish Sharma explained that the five faces of Lord Ganesha symbolize pancha kosha. These faces, known as Annamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Vijnanamaya Kosha, and Anandamaya Kosha, are showcased in the 117-foot Lord Ganesh idol.
The installation of this remarkable idol is a testament to the devotion and craftsmanship involved in celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi. The organisers aim to create an awe-inspiring experience for devotees and attract attention from across the country.
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