Kolkata: Prices of Lakshmi idols have surged. In many areas, buyers said the prices of the idols—ahead of the puja on Sunday—had doubled this year. A 7-inch Lakshmi idol that sold for around Rs 250 last year is now priced at Rs 500. Similarly, a 1-ft idol that earlier cost about Rs 650 is now being sold for Rs 1,200.Sellers attribute the steep rise in price to increased cost of materials, including clay and paints, besides surge in labour and transportation charges. The idols from Krishnanagar, a hub for clay idols and dolls, also turned expensive.Idol-makers said the increase in price was also a result of clay shortage and rising production costs. Bikash Ghosh, an idol-maker, said the heavy demand for clay during Durga Puja had contributed to the shortage.“After Durga Puja, there has been a huge shortage of clay, which is pushing up the prices. The shortage was perpetuated as so many Durga idols were crafted out of clay. The cost of colours and labour charges have also gone up. So does the cost of making the idol,” said Ghosh.Retailers in Lake Market said the higher prices had affected both their business and equations with customers. Rajib Das, an idol-seller, said buyers blamed retailers for deliberately raising prices, although they too were paying more to procure the idols.“Buyers are telling us we are pushing up the prices intentionally, but the truth is that this year the idols are costlier than previous years. Every year, I would get about 30 Lakshmi idols but this time I have brought only 20 owing to the steep prices,” said Das.“I was surprised to hear that the price of the idols has almost doubled this year. Prices of other materials required for Puja, like fruits and vegetables, have also gone up,” said Debolina Roy, a resident of Bagbazar.With the festive season yet to get over, the price rise has added to the expenses of households preparing for the annual worship of goddess Lakshmi.
