Khairatabad Ganesh makers paid `3k per day

• It is highest in the seasonal business
• The salary for artisans has been increasing every year 
• The idol work which started in May would be completed by Sept 6

Khairatabad: In Khairatabad, the preparations for the Ganesh Utsav including the Ganesh idol are being give the final touches. The main attraction of the Khairatabad Ganesh Utsav Mandal, the largest idol in the city, this year is being prepared with a 57 ft high Lord Ganesha. 

The organizers said that around 150 artisans have been engaged in making the idol. The idol work started in May and will be ready by September 6. According to the Utsav committee chairman and founder Singari Sudarshan, the entire artisan team receives around Rs 80 lakh after the idol work is completed. 

This is the highest amount paid for Ganesh idol – making in a short time of 3-4 months. The senior artisans, around 8 members are paid Rs 3,000 for eight hours, the assistants are paid Rs 2,500 and the artisan helpers coming from Chennai, Adilabad, Bengal and Maharashtra, are paid between Rs 850 and 1,500 per day depending on work and seniority. 

Sudershan said that such a huge amount is paid because every year the salary has been increased for the artisans.  
  
The main artisan, who has been making Khairtabad Ganesh idol since 1978, said, “Every year we change the design of the Khairtabad Ganesh idol, famous across the world. 

The idol has 14 hands and seven snakes behind it. Every year we change the design including jewellery, costumes and colours. The material we use are POP from Thoothukudi Rajapalayam and coconut coir from Salem in Tamil Nadu, clay from Gujarat and rest all paint etc are from Hyderabad. 

Nearly Rs 1 crore would be the costs incurred after the completion of idol.”

 Convener T Sandeep Raj told that, “From a young age I have been serving in the idol making crew and now I am 55-year-old. I feel lucky enough to serve at the famous Ganesh idol. 

We have increased CCTV cameras by 50 compared to last year’s 100. The police department would take care about the security including metal detectors, ambulance, fire control, water facility and 100 private security guards. 

From 4 am labours start separating the idol form the pandal (tent) and on September 23 at 5:30 am Shoba yatra would start from the Khairatabad in a trolley sponsored by STC transport. 

For Khairatabad Ganesh a separate path is designated and a 200 ft crane is provided every year by the Telangana Government, Sandeep added.