Clay Ganesh Idol Fetches Rs 2.21 Lakh at Auction
Chavitam villagers continue a 10-year tradition, with farmer Mootha Nageswara Rao placing the highest bid
Kakinada: A clay Ganesh idol was auctioned for Rs 2,21,500 at Chavitam village in Undrajavaram mandal of East Godavari district.
While Laddu prasadam is generally auctioned on the final day of Ganesh Navaratri celebrations, the people of Chavitam have been following the practice of auctioning the Ganesh idol worshipped during the celebrations.
After performing puja to the idol for nine days, the villagers auctioned it this year. Farmer Mootha Nageswara Rao secured the idol by quoting the highest amount.
The organisers said the practice had been followed in the village for the past 10 years. Farmers believed that keeping the sacred idol in their fields would help their crops yield well.
This year, the Vinayaka committee installed a Ganesh idol measuring three feet in length and 2.5 feet in width and performed pujas during the celebrations.
Environmentalists praised the committee for using a clay idol and said other Ganesh pandal organisers could adopt the practice. They said clay idols would not have an adverse impact on the environment as the clay would mix with the soil in the fields.
They also said the use of clay idols would prevent pollution of ponds, canals, rivers and other water resources.