Sambalpur (Odisha): In a striking blend of devotion and creativity, the Kshetraraipur-based Natraj Club in Sambalpur has created a 26-foot idol of Lord Ganesh using around 1,500 kilograms of apples. With Ganesh Chaturthi drawing near, the towering idol is not only a spectacular sight but also a reminder to society about the importance of health and well-being.

This year is particularly important for the club as it celebrates 50 years—the Golden Jubilee—of its Ganesh Puja festivities. To mark the milestone, the members decided to craft the idol from apples, a fruit known as a symbol of good health and also considered one of Lord Ganesh’s favourite offerings. The vibrant idol, designed with apples of various colours, is still under construction but has already begun drawing crowds.

Unlike many large-scale idols, this one has not been made by professional artisans. Instead, about 15 to 16 club members, all local businessmen, have been working on it with dedication for more than two months. The concept had been planned three years in advance to coincide with the Golden Jubilee celebrations.

"It took us more than two months to bring this idea to life. Since it's our 50th year, we wanted to do something extraordinary," said senior club member Gopal Pansari.

"We had this idea in mind three years ago, and we’re proud to finally execute it. Our aim is to make it memorable," he said.

True to its tradition, Natraj Club does not depend on donations or set a specific budget for the event. Instead, expenses are voluntarily borne by its members. The club has built a reputation over the years for using unusual materials such as bananas, laddus, and coconuts to create idols, each carrying a theme or message for society.

Senior member Shiv Kumar Rathi added, "We are all businessmen, and we don’t sleep for days when we work on the idol. Our devotion drives us. We’ve made idols from bananas in the past; this year, it’s apples to promote the message of good health. After the celebration, we plan to distribute the apples to the needy."

IANS