Report and pics from Vinay Pais
Daijiworld Media Network - Kundapur (MB)

Kundapur, Sep 16: As the Ganesh festival approached it was a common sight to see the idols of Ganesha being made, out of handy material like coconuts, arecanuts, tomatoes, potatoes and out of grass like 'lavancha', a fragrant grass variety.

Nagaraja Chatra's creation of Ganesha from areca sheet

Among the various artistic manifestations the deity, the arecanut (betelnut) Ganapati is popular. But, of late, an innovative format of Ganapati called 'adike hale' (betel nut leaf) Ganapati is gaining acceptance in the district of Udupi, especially in Kundapur Taluk.

A chilli found in the shape of Ganesha at Chaturthi time

It is the handiwork of Nagaraja Chatra of Skanda Bioplate, Hallihole, Baregundi, who has already earned a name for manufacturing fancy - but of day-to-day use -  out of the sheets of the branches obtained from arecnut trees growing his plantation.

These articles include plates, saucers, cups, caps, wallet and the like. This is a pollution-free village industry thriving out of wealth from bio-degradable waste in one of the most backward villages called Baregundi in Hallihole of Kundapur Taluk.

As a special attraction for the Chaturthi festival, Nagaraja Chatra has put up an exhibition the idol of Ganesha crafted out of areca sheet as shown in the first picture here.