Fest pandals hijacked
AN AVERAGE pandal costs between `10,000 and `15,000. In case of major pandals, the figure may go up to lakhs. UNLIKE BATHUKAMMA, Ganesh Chaturthi is not funded by the government TRANSGENDERS CONSIDER Ganesh Chaturthi as a ‘festival of dignity’ Politicos
It seems politicos and advertising agencies are on a rampage to hijack gods. The outer pillars of the famous 58-feet Khairatabad Ganesh are wrapped with posters of vehicles.
The lanes leading to pandals and even temples have life-sized posters of local representatives.
Organisers said that politicians are the prime donors so their photographs have to be displayed.
Advertising agencies, on the other hand, sponsor the festivities to get the prime space at pandals.
The Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Samithi has rented out the pillar space for advertisements.
Even the supporting idols are not spared. Some pandals have posters of the local MLAs, corporators and other donors.
Mr Sohanlal Kadel, a member of the Bhagya Nagar Ganesh Utsav Samithi, said, “Earlier, the twin cities had a few pandals. They have mushroomed of late. Within 10 yards, there is a pandal, purely donation-based. At the Khairatabad Ganesh pandal, if a person donates `5, his /her name is announced.”
Mr Hanumanth Rao, a pandal organiser, added, “Organisers have to find funds till the last day of the immersion. The costs include idols, decorations, poojas, bands and vehicles. All expenses have to be met by the organiser. Thus, donors are highlighted with posters.”
Unlike Bathukamma, Ganesh Chaturthi is not government-funded.
The GHMC gives aid only for the immersion. The money spent by organisers and donated by individuals is not taxed. There is no record of expenditures, except the bills by private vendors.
An average pandal costs between `10,000 and `15,000. In case of major pandals, the figure may go up to lakhs.