Mid-Day Specials | Ganeshotsav 2024: The impact of rising Ganesh Idol prices on Mumbai’s devotees and mandals

As Ganeshotsav 2024 approaches the cityrsquos markets are bustling with activity Shops selling decorative items electronic lighting systems and sweets are experiencing a surge in customersGaneshotsav one of Mumbairsquos most celebrated festivals has seen a sharp rise in costs over the years What started as a modest community event has turned into a grand spectacle bringing significant financial challenges for organisers and devotees alike The increasing expenses reflect broader economic trends and changing societal expectations raising concerns about the traditions sustainabilityThe evolution of Ganeshotsav in MumbaiGaneshotsav or Ganesh Chaturthi was popularised in 1893 by Lokmanya Tilak to foster community unity and promote nationalist sentiment during the British Raj Earlier the festival featured simple locally made idols modest decorations and community gatherings However as Mumbai grew in wealth and population the festival evolved into a more spectacular affair with larger and more elaborate idols expansive pandals temporary structures and increasingly intricate cultural programsWhy devotees are hesitant to pay rising Ganesh idol pricesOne of the most significant contributors to the increasing costs is the growing demand for more intricate idols Artisans now use expensive materials like Plaster of Paris fibreglass and ecofriendly options like clay which while environmentally beneficial are costlier The trend of opting for idols adorned with gold and silver further drives up the expensesAs Ganeshotsav 2024 approaches idol makers in Mumbai report being affected by inflation Despite this they note that public enthusiasm remains exceptionally highA Parelbased idol maker mentioned that inflation has driven up the cost of raw materials leading to higher production costs As a result the price of idols has increasedDue to inflation the prices of raw materials have risen increasing our production costs by about 30 to 40 per cent Consequently the price of Lord Ganesha idols has gone up by approximately 20 to 30 per cent said the Parelbased idol makerPradeep Maduskar a renowned sculptor from Girgaon and the owner of RV Maduskar Arts said Inflation has significantly impacted our business Due to rising prices weve experienced a 30 to 40 per cent decline in sales as people are increasingly reluctant to pay higher prices for Lord Ganesha idolsDue to rising costs the price of raw materials needed for the idols increases by 10 to 15 per cent every year As a result we have no choice but to raise the prices of the idols by Rs 200 to Rs 300 annually he explainedTheres another reason why people are hesitant to pay more for idols Nowadays the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC provides free clay and stalls to idol makers but this is not extended to those of us who have been in the business traditionally Instead these benefits are given to smallscale idol makers This creates confusion among people who wonder why established idol makers like us have to raise prices he addedHow rising costs and migration are affecting businessElaborating on the decline in business Maduskar said Its not just rising prices that are affecting us Another significant factor is migration With a lot of redevelopment happening in South Mumbai while some people have stayed many have moved to the suburbs or even left Mumbai altogether This has also had a major impact on our businessSanjay a Dadarbased vendor said that artificial flower garlands which were priced between Rs 50 and Rs 150 last year are now being sold for Rs 100 to Rs 200 The prices of environmentally friendly makhars which are used to place the idols have also increased by 10 to 20 per centThe Dadarbased vendor who also sells puja materials mentioned that their prices have increased by 20 to 25 per cent A set of puja materials that was priced at Rs 500 last year is now being sold for Rs 700 The price of incense sticks has also risen from Rs 500900 per kilo to Rs 6001100 per kilo he saidSanchit Walkar a Parelbased vendor said that the markets are ready for the festival which is just a few days away Decorative materials have become 10 to 20 per cent more expensive and puja materials have risen by 20 to 25 per cent Additionally due to increased fuel prices transport costs have also gone up he saidDevotees feel the pinchAmid rising prices of fuel and decorative materials people across the city are feeling the burdenDespite the significant increase in the cost of idols flowers and decorations this year Mumbaikars are not holding back their spending on the citys most extravagant festivalMilind Vanarse a resident of Girgaon said that Ganeshotsav is a centuryold tradition We host guests for six days said Milind who has been purchasing his idol from the same artist for years Every year the cost of the idol increases by Rs 200 to Rs 300 but we accept this without questioning the price increase he notedMilind also mentioned the expenses for flowers and decorations On the first day alone we spend around Rs 7000 to Rs 8000 on flowers and we buy more as they wither he saidSweets which are an integral part of the festival are bought from outside I havenrsquot calculated the total yearly expense but it has likely increased by about 10 per cent each year he added noting that only the quantity of sweets has decreasedSarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals struggle with rising costs amidst fierce competitionEven the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandals are feeling the financial strain The competition to create the most spectacular pandal has intensified with many mandals vying for attention through elaborate themes intricate lighting and detailed artwork The costs of materials labour and technologymdashsuch as sound and lighting systemsmdashhave surged making even a smallscale pandal a costly endeavourGaneshotsav is not just about worship it has also become a cultural extravaganza With the increasing number of devotees visiting pandals security has become a paramount concern Mandals now invest heavily in CCTV cameras metal detectors and security personnel to ensure the safety of participants Additionally crowd management infrastructure like barricades and traffic management systems adds to the overall cost a member of Girgaonbased Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal saidThe general rise in prices due to inflation has also affected Ganeshotsav The cost of raw materials labour transportation and logistics has risen steadily reflecting the broader economic challenges faced by the country While corporate sponsorships and donations have provided some relief they have also contributed to the commercialisation of the festival The pressure to deliver a grander celebration each year to attract sponsors has led to a vicious cycle of escalating costs he addedThe rising costs have had a mixed impact on communities On one hand they have led to more spectacular celebrations that attract tourists and media attention boosting local economies On the other hand smaller mandals and less affluent communities struggle to keep up with the financial demands leading to a growing divide between wealthy and lessprivileged groups the member of Girgaonbased Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal saidIn some cases the burden of expenses has led to the decline of smaller traditional celebrations with many mandals either merging with larger ones or discontinuing their festivities altogetherThe escalating costs of Ganeshotsav 2024 in Mumbai reflect the festivals evolution from a simple community gathering to a grand public spectacle While the rising expenses have brought new challenges they have also sparked a necessary conversation about the sustainability and inclusivity of the festival As Mumbai continues to grow and change so too will Ganeshotsav but it is essential to ensure that this cherished tradition remains accessible and meaningful for all regardless of financial means