India Celebrates Ganesh Chaturthi with Tallest Lord Ganesha Idol in Visakhapatnam
September 21, 2023, 17:56 IST – In a grand celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi, the tallest Lord Ganesha idol in the country has been installed in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Standing at an impressive height of 117 feet, the Sri Ananta Panchamukha Maha Ganpati idol has been set up at the Lanka Grounds. The organizers of the pandal drew inspiration from the Khairatabad Ganesh idol in Hyderabad, which was installed 69 years ago and stood at 63 feet, making it the tallest idol in the Telugu states at the time.
To create the tallest Lord Ganesha idol in India, a team of 26 artisans from West Bengal, led Chief artisan Naresh, were involved in the project. They began their work in June and completed it just in time for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
The foundation for the idol required the digging of 10 feet of earth to provide a sturdy base for balance and strength. The artisans used one and a half tons of Ganga Matti clay from Kolkata, along with 2 tons of another type of clay sourced from a lake near Anakapalli town. Additionally, they used a significant amount of grass and more than 350 bamboo sticks.
S Ganesh, one of the organizers, shared that they had previously relied on artisans from Tamil Nadu, but this year they decided to collaborate with workers from Bengal. They took extra precautions to ensure the idol’s stability, using an iron structure and investing around Rs 50 lakh in its construction. A video shared News18 shows devotees flocking to the idol, eager to offer their prayers.
Explaining the significance of the five faces of Lord Ganesha, Pandit Venkata Harish Sharma highlighted that they represent pancha kosha. Each face has a name: Annamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Vijnanamaya Kosha, and Anandamaya Kosha. The 117-foot Lord Ganesh idol proudly showcases all five faces.
The installation of this monumental idol has captivated the attention of the nation, as devotees from far and wide gather to witness and participate in the festivities. This remarkable creation stands as a testament to the artistic and spiritual fervor of the Indian people, making Ganesh Chaturthi a truly memorable event.