TIRUPATI, INDIA, August 17, 2016 (The Hindu): The clay from the Gangetic plain has made its way from Bengal to the temple city of Tirupati where it is used for an eco-friendly initiative. The clay from Ganga is not only revered as auspicious, but also known for firm grip and smooth finish. Hence it is widely used in the making of statues of Lord Vinayaka for the chaturthi.
Ingredients like concrete, Plaster of Paris, artificial colors, chemicals or oil base that pollute water bodies are not being used. The clay from the Gangetic plains forms one-fifth of the ingredients. “This year, we have made 1,000 statues for Hyderabad and 400 each for Warangal and Vijayawada. As a small beginning, we are preparing only 125 statues to enter the Tirupati market,” says Payyavula Rajasekhar, who has employed 10 workers from Kolkata to prepare the statues.
While eco champions advocate the use of clay statues, it is confined more to homes, as the mammoth statues installed at street corners are prone to breakage when only clay is used. “That is why we use hay and clay and restrict to a maximum weight of 154 lbs,” says Mr. Rajasekhar, who is a practicing doctor.