Erode, September 7, 2013: Emphasising that no chemicals must be used for colour coating the idols of Lord Vinayaka, the Erode district administration has specified the spots where the idols have to be immersed as part of the Chathurthi celebrations.

In a press release, District Collector V.K. Shanmugam appealed to the people to desist from causing damage to the water bodies and said the statues could be immersed at the Cauvery River beneath the Pallipalayam link bridge and Lower Bhavani canal near Thittuparai in Erode area, at Kooduthurai in Bhavani, Seyyyampalayam in Gobichettipalayam, Thadapalli canal in Santhyavanathurai, and at the Lower Bhavani Canal near Varasiddhi Vinayakar Tempe in Sathyamangalam.

Sellers of Lord Vinayaka idols in the city are doing brisk business. The prices of idols placed by the roadside ranges from Rs. 100 to Rs. 13,000.

The large-sized idols exceeding height of 10 feet are made of cardboard material, and only those below three feet height are shaped with clay, according to a seller on Brough Road.

The large-sized idols are made only based on prior orders, he said, adding that the products made in Dharmapuri and Bangalore have turned costlier by 20 to 30  per cent this year due to escalation in transport and input costs.

Source: The Hindu, September 7, 2013