Tiruchirappalli, Aug. 19 -- With Vinayaka Chaturthi approaching, artisans in Tiruchirappalli district are busy preparing colourful Ganesha idols, with a strong focus on environmental protection and compliance with Tamil Nadu government guidelines.

The idols, ranging from 3 feet to a maximum of 10 feet, are being crafted in various designs and sizes to meet the requirements of devotees and festival organisers.

A key feature of these idols is that they are made using tapioca flour. According to the artisans, the tapioca is processed into a paste and used to mould the idols, making them biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

The artisans said the idols can completely dissolve in water within around 30 minutes after immersion, helping...