This story is from June 25, 2020

Vadodara: Spurt in coronavirus cases cloud Ganesha idol market

By the end of June every year, idol makers in Vadodara would finish making 30% of Ganesh idols of their order book. But this year, they are unsure of getting orders as the coronavirus cases are showing no signs of abating.
Vadodara: Spurt in coronavirus cases cloud Ganesha idol market
Bhoire and his wife Alka make 300 sand idols every year
VADODARA: By the end of June every year, idol makers in Vadodara would finish making 30% of Ganesh idols of their order book. But this year, they are unsure of getting orders as the coronavirus cases are showing no signs of abating.
With Rath Yatra getting cancelled and the number of cases in the city crossing 2,000-mark, Ganesh festivities organizers here are also not able to finalize whether to install the idols or not.

“Most of the idol makers start work in March, but this year due to lockdown nobody could open their workshops. Now, everything is open but there is no clarity over festivities,” said idol maker Ashok Ajmeri, who has fixed clients and makes 50 to 60 idols every year.
“Since the unlock, people have been inquiring but nobody has finalized so I am right now making only small idols which are installed at homes,” he added.
“By now I finish 30% work of my order book, but this year I could start my work only last week and that too by making small idols,” said another artist Ghanshyam Kahar. His entire family is in the business of idol making.
While Ajmeri and Kahar have nothing on their order book this year, another idol maker has his hands full. Rajendra Bhoire who is the third-generation artist said that his clients have placed orders in advance this year. Bhoire and his wife Alka make 300 sand idols of up to 1.5 feet height every year for installing in homes.
“Every year my clients place orders a month before the festivities, but this year the fear of shortage of idols due to Covid-19 prompted them to come early,” said 63-year-old Bhoire. He added that since maintaining social distancing would be difficult, people will be encouraged to celebrate the festivities and do the ‘visarjan’ at homes itself.
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