Ganesh Utsavam enhances livelihood for thousands of people in Vijayawada

A huge idol of Lord Ganesha, richly decorated with figures depicting several Hindu deities and divine avatars, near Tulasi Nagar in Vijayawada on Sunday. | Photo credit: GN RAO

Celebrated on a grand scale, the annual Ganesh Utsavam provides livelihood to many purohits, petty vendors, artisans, technicians and other stakeholders in the state. “The festival is celebrated on a grand scale and Lord Ganesh provides livelihood to thousands of petty vendors, artisans and sellers of puja materials, flowers, fruits and patri every year,” said flower seller P. Ramakrishna.

The organizers are making elaborate arrangements to set up a grand pandal that will feature various themes and offer job opportunities to artisans, decorators, technicians, electricians, fruit and flower vendors, caterers and others.

“We have been organizing the 21-day Ganesh Utsavam for more than 15 years. During the festivities, spiritual discourses and cultural events – like Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi and Harikatha dance competitions depicting tradition and culture,” said Vemuri Suresh, a member of the organizing committee at Siri Nagar.

Another member, Malladi Tarak Sai Teja, said that this year they decorated the Ganesha idol with figures depicting several Hindu deities and divine avatars as the theme of their pandal. “Eight priests will perform special puja, kalyanam, archanas and vratams. Teertha prasadam will be distributed after the puja every day during the 21-day Utsavam,” he said.

Meanwhile, artisans from Rajasthan, West Bengal and other states who make Ganesha idols say their families work on the idols throughout the year and survive on the money they earn during the festival. “Our families make Lord Ganesh idols throughout the year and earn money during the festival, which lasts till the next year of Chavithi,” said idol maker Ram Singh.

Decorative artists, private electricians and stage decorators are fully booked during the festival. “Priests, tent house owners, flower, fruit and coconut vendors and cooks must be booked in advance for the utsavam,” said Mr. Sai Teja.

Florist owners and decoration workers ensure import of essential and hybrid flowers for pandal decorations. “We collect lotus flowers from nearby ponds, arrange jasmine and rose flowers and import hybrid varieties from Bengaluru,” said decorator B. Dora Babu.

Published – 20 Sep 2026 20:35 IST