From guitar Ganesha to vintage Gowri, idols take centre stage in Bengaluru ahead of festival
Markets in Bengaluru are preparing for the upcoming Gowri Ganesha festival with a wide variety of idol designs ranging from traditional styles to modern pop-culture themes. Sellers report high demand for diverse sizes and artistic styles, with prices varying significantly based on craftsmanship and material.
Why it matters
The festival is a major cultural and economic event in Bengaluru, highlighting the intersection of traditional religious practices and evolving market trends in local artisan communities.
With only a few days left for the Gowri Ganesha festival, the city’s markets are flooded with all types of designs and structures of the idols.
At Banashankari, Pottery Town, and Malleshwaram, there are Ganeshas in various styles, design, and colour, including the Maharaja Ganesha, Ganesha with a guitar, Ganesha sitting on Nandi, peacock, a coiled snake, and an idol styled like Shiva holding Trishul and damru .
Saravana Kumar, a seller from Pottery Town, said: “The price range starts from ₹450 and goes upto 1 lakh depending on the size of the idols. There are sellers who come here to purchase in bulk quantities and they sell it at higher prices in the city”
“The Maharaja style is most famous as it is inspired by the style found in Mumbai. A five-feet Maharaja style Ganesha costs ₹4,000 to 5,000,” he added.
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