Odisha artist creates Ganpati idol with over 5000 matchsticks

As Ganesh Chaturthi festivities begin from today, September 10, an artist hailing from Puri in Odisha has crafted an idol of Lord Ganesh using matchsticks.

The art piece comprises as many as 5621 matchsticks and is 23 inches long and 22 inches wide

Saswat Sahoo, the artist, told ANI that it took him eight days to craft the work. “Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations for the Ganesh Chaturthi are subdued. Hence, I thought of creating something new. I will be praying to this idol on the festival at my home amid the pandemic,” said Sahoo.

Ganesh Chaturthi, a ten-day festival that starts on the fourth day of Hindu lunisolar calendar month Bhadrapada, starts on September 10 this year. It is celebrated with much fanfare across the country with lakhs of devotees converging into mandals to seek blessing from Lord Ganesh.