Tirupati, September 16, 2013: Over the years, Lord Ganesha has earned a name for being a people-friendly God to be fashioned in any ‘avatar’. Every year during Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees make idols centred on particular themes. As an epitome of such creativity, one idol was modelled after Sri Anantha Padmanabhaswamy of Tiruvananthapuram, Kerala, which attracted attention in every aspect.

‘Anantha Padmanabha Vinayakudu’ erected at Thummalagunta on the city outskirts has a different story to tell. Idol-makers from Hyderabad and Pondicherry worked for more than 20 days under the supervision of a TTD sculptor at the location to complete the clay idol with majestic dimensions. Measuring 25ft X 25ft and with a solid budget of Rs.12 lakh, the idol stood out as the star attraction of the city. The aura of the gold finished idol and stunning decorations had the devotees thronging the location since the past week.

Two Muslim brothers, Ashraf and Sharif, highlighted true secularism by making the first offering (Naivedyam) to the Lord during the festival. A massive 1,116 kg laddu was made at the venue and was auctioned off on the final day for Rs. 2,75,000.

The organisers led by former TUDA Chairman Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy stepped aside from the traditional immersion process as the clay idol of such proportions could not be transported.

They employed the services of the Fire Department to melt the idol at the location. Fire fighters and devotees held the hose and gave a shower to their beloved God before making him vanish.

Source: The Hindu, September 16, 2013