SAMBALPUR: Five Marwari families under the banner of Natraj Club at Khetrajpur here have come up with an innovative “patriotic” Ganesha this year. In the wake of the recent Anna Hazare campaign against corruption, the idol has been painted in tricolour in the shape of the India map. Their aim is to create a feeling of nationalism among people that they feel is fast declining. The idol is 28 feet high and has been made of 78 metres of cloth on a bamboo structure. Embellishments like lace, pearls and beads, bought from Surat in Gujarat, have been used. Every year, these families come up with new and eco-friendly ideas and the trend is 30 years old.Last year, the height of the Ganesha idol measured about 35 feet and was made out of 10,000 coconuts placed on a wooden structure. Apart from coconuts, coir was used for decoration. Interestingly, none of the members of these five families is a sculptor by profession, they do not even collect any donation to meet the cost of the 11-day celebration. They contribute their own money and work on the idol from 6 pm to 2 am after their business is closed for the day. The families said after the puja is over, work on the idol for the following year begins.
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