With just a month left for Ganesha Chaturthi, idol-making workshops across Bengaluru are buzzing with activity. However, devotees may have to shell out significantly more this year, as prices of Ganesha idols are expected to rise by 15–20% due to a steep surge in the cost of essential materials—especially high-grade clay soil.
Idol makers say the price hike stems from the difficulty in sourcing quality clay, which is typically extracted from dried-up lakes and riverbeds in and around Bengaluru and Ramanagara. Continuous and abundant rainfall since 2024 has kept water levels high, making it tough to access this crucial material. “Usually, we collect clay when waterbodies dry up. But this year, most lakes retained water, so clay has been hard to procure,” explained Suresh, an idol artisan from Tumakuru Road.
Some craftsmen have traveled to neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh to obtain better-quality clay. Others have imported loads from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, known for their premium Gangetic soil, which prevents cracks and binds better. This clay is then used as a finishing coat over idols made with local clay and paddy husk.
In areas like Pottery Town, artists report paying ₹10,000–₹15,000 per 1.5-tonne load of clay—up ₹4,000–₹7,000 from previous years. Labor costs have also gone up, with artists hiring assistants to meet demand.
Meanwhile, concerns persist over the illegal circulation of banned PoP (plaster of Paris) idols, with artisans urging the government to crack down on such sales.