From guitar Ganeshas to Mysore-style Gowris, Bengaluru’s idol markets fill up

A Ganesha holding a guitar, another seated on Nandi, and a Maharaja-style idol are among the designs filling shops in Banashankari, Pottery Town and Malleshwaram ahead of Gowri Ganesha.

Saravana Kumar, a Pottery Town seller, said prices begin at ₹450 and can reach ₹1 lakh depending on size. A five-foot Maharaja Ganesha, inspired by a Mumbai style, costs ₹4,000 to ₹5,000, he said. At Banashankari’s Vinayak Entreprises, Amar said 10- to 12-foot guitar-holding or Nandi-seated Ganeshas are priced at ₹55,000, while a Shiva-styled Ganesha costs ₹60,000.

Malleshwaram shop Gubbi Mane is offering hand-painted Gowri idols including Seru Gowri, Bande Gowri, Mysore Muddu Gowri and the cone-shaped Arshinada Gouri. Mahith of the shop said these idols are priced between ₹450 and ₹6,000.

The market activity follows Bengaluru’s ban on plaster of Paris Ganesha idols for the festival.