Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Visakhapatnam pandals showcase creativity, eco-friendly idols and digital flair

The city is preparing for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations on August 27, with colourful pandals and themed idols bringing both tradition and modern creativity to the fore. This year, smaller community displays are generating as much excitement as the grand installations, with themes ranging from cricket and politics to fitness and everyday life.

Among the most talked-about attractions is the “RCB Ganesha,” celebrating Royal Challengers Bangalore’s long-awaited trophy victory after 18 years. Political themes have also taken centre stage, with one pandal depicting Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a Sindhoor war-inspired setting alongside Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
Other installations have captured attention with unusual ideas, including missile-shaped idols, schoolboy versions, and gym-inspired Ganeshas, blending satire, devotion, and social commentary.

A major highlight this year is the growing popularity of eco-friendly idols and festival kits. Several online platforms and e-commerce vendors are offering clay idols along with turmeric, flowers, grass, and traditional sweets like modaks and laddus.

The eco-friendly idols are designed for easy immersion, dissolving in water within hours. The leftover clay mixture can be added to soil, serving as natural fertilizer. Urban families are increasingly adopting these options as sustainable alternatives to plaster-of-Paris idols.

The festival spirit has also spilled over onto social media. AI-generated reels and videos portraying Lord Ganesha packing his celestial robes and arriving on Earth with his carrier, the mouse, have gone viral. These playful digital interpretations are resonating with younger audiences, giving the festival a modern twist.

For those seeking grandeur, the 111-foot Sri Sundara Vastra Maha Ganapati at Gajuwaka is a major attraction. Crafted by 26 artists from Chirala using eco-friendly materials, the idol is being decorated with sarees that will later be distributed among devotees and donors. “The idea is to merge artistry with sustainability,” said K. Ganesh of SV Entertainments, who is supervising the project.

With growing awareness about the environmental impact of plaster-of-Paris idols, cultural associations and organisers across Visakhapatnam are promoting clay and biodegradable alternatives.