Hyderabad: Local vendors are sending Whatsapp images to customers who don’t intend to visit stores for purchase. The buyer selects the idol by viewing it on the mobile and payment is done, cash on delivery. This is only for idols that are less than 5 feet, including clay idols. The vendor also offers other materials needed for pandal decoration.
Ms. Deepa Shailendra of Sainikpuri explained, “We got a data base of vendors who are manufacturing larger clay Ganesha which can be helpful for colonies or gated communities. Not many know where to get bigger size idols; many buy one foot-idols for the home. In colonies, since it is a joint celebration we have to get a larger idol. So we formed a group on Whatsapp and passed around details of vendors who shared their idols through the social network. The same was passed on to pandal committee heads. There is also a group called Youth for Seva, who help people make idols.’’
Ms. Sundari Rajan said, “The packages depends on the size of the Ganapati, material needed which would include leaves and decoration like lighting, carpet, ritual vessels etc. The vendors provide home delivery too”.
Many colonies have requested pandal organizers not to use plastic and instead use leaves during food distribution.
They also sought switch to earthen lamps from bulbs made in China. The vendors that are providing Ganesh Packages, including clay idols are Emerald Mithai Shop on Tank Bund, Eco-friendly Ganpati idol dealers- Begum Bazaar, Why POP Ganesh at Moosarambagh, Marble Kraft in Nagole, Ideal Images Division Arts and Prints, Jai Ganesh Arts at KPHB and Kolkatha Ganesh Statues in Uppal.
Supermarkets too are offering idol packages, “I bought a one-foot-idol with deepams for Rs 225 from Spencers. I saw packages offered by other departmental stores such as More and Ratnadeep,’’ said Ambika Naidu, a resident of Red hills.
