The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Ganesha in different shapes, sizes at Poompuhar

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Aug 13, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Ganesha in different shapes, sizes at Poompuhar

Staff Reporter

The year's special attraction is an idol made of blended gold, silver and bronze

Chennai: Step into the Poompuhar outlet on Anna Salai and you will find yourself surrounded by Ganesha idols and crafts with the motifs of the elephant god.

From two-inch idols made of marble dust to five-foot brass figurines, the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation has stocked a variety of models to mark Vinayakar Chathurthi that falls on August 27.

This year's special attraction is a navagraha Ganesha idol, made of blended gold, silver and bronze. It costs Rs. 1.34 lakh and was made by artisans in Swamimalai near Kumbakonam.

The exhibition was inaugurated on Friday by Electricity and Rural Industries Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy. A set of 32 panchaloha idols costing Rs. 2.2 lakh, Tanjore paintings at Rs. 94,000 each, 11-inch panchaloha lamps at Rs. 600 each, cute and colourful Kondapalli wood idols at Rs. 100 each are on offer.

D. Rajendran, Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, said last year's sales yielded a profit of Rs. 12 lakh and this year's target is Rs. 15 lakh.

All Vinayakar Chathurthi crafts have a 10 per cent discount. Services charges will not be levied for credit card payments. The sale is on till August 26 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all days, including Sundays, at the Anna Salai showroom.

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