India’s tallest clay Ganesha idol unveiled in Visakhapatnam

September 22, 2023 Incredible India Valli Sarvani

In a remarkable celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi this year, the city of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, has unveiled the tallest Lord Ganesha idol in the country. It is an eco-friendly Ganesha idol.

Towering over the Lanka Grounds, this colossal idol stands at an impressive height of 117 feet and is affectionately named the Sri Ananta Panchamukha Maha Ganpati idol.

The inspiration behind this grand creation came from the iconic Khairatabad Ganesh idol in Hyderabad, which stood as the tallest in the Telugu states for 69 years, reaching a height of 63 feet.

To bring this towering deity to life, a team of 26 skilled artisans from West Bengal, led by Chief artisan Naresh, embarked on a monumental journey. They began their work in June, ensuring it was completed just in time for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.

The foundation for this mammoth idol required a 10-foot-deep excavation to provide stability and balance.

The creation of this monumental masterpiece involved the use of over one and a half tons of Ganga Matti clay sourced from Kolkata. Besides, an additional two tons of clay from a nearby lake in Anakapalli town, abundant quantities of grass, and more than 350 bamboo sticks were procured.

The organizers explained that in previous years, they had relied on artisans from Tamil Nadu.

However, this year, they entrusted the project to skilled workers from Bengal.

This decision was made after last year’s 89-foot idol developed cracks due to insufficient support.

To ensure the stability of the towering idol, an iron structure was incorporated, with an estimated cost of around ₹50 lakh.

The unveiling of this colossal Lord Ganesha idol has drawn crowds of devotees eager to offer their prayers and devotion.

The idol’s five faces symbolize the pancha kosha. Each face represents a specific aspect: Annamaya Kosha, Manomaya Kosha, Pranamaya Kosha, Vijnanamaya Kosha, and Anandamaya Kosha.

Together, these facets are beautifully showcased in the 117-foot Lord Ganesha idol, captivating the hearts of all who come to witness this divine spectacle.

Image from Pxfuel (Free for commercial use)