LUCKNOW, Nov. 4 -- The Diwali trends in the city markets show a shift of shoppers from cheap Plaster of Paris-made idols towards baked clay and eco-friendly ones made of cow dung. In Saadatganj, traditional vendors are championing baked clay. Vendor Prem Sagar said he uses only baked clay, finished with vibrant paints, silk garments, crowns and kundan work. "The pairs available range from Rs 80 to Rs 2,000 for a few inches to 2.5-foot statues. People are choosing baked clay ones as they are at least a bit more eco-friendly than Plaster of Paris-made idols," said Sagar. Another vendor Kallu Prajapati is selling high-end pre-decorated baked-clay idols from Kolkata, ranging from Rs 400 sets to Rs 2,500 for idols, sized from a few inches to bigger ones of about 2-3 feet. "Buyers from adjoining rural districts still prefer cheaper PoP idols from Kanpur and Agra, but city buyers are choosing durable baked clay," said Prajapati. In Aminabad, PoP has fallen to under 10% of total market share, replaced by Kolkata-style clay idols such as Lakshmi and Ganesha seated on moons or swans, with raised motifs of mice, owls and elephants. "While these permanent-colour Kolkata statues dominate demand, they do not dissolve easily in water and are not strictly eco-friendly. Shoppers are also facing a hike of Rs 100 to Rs 150 on smaller statues and Rs 250 to Rs 300 on larger pieces," said another vendor, Nitin. In Khajua, a vendor, said that this year Kolkata's idol monopoly has been with superior eco-friendly clay idols now supplied across UP, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh. "Khajua's blended yellow-and-black clay idols are baked for strength yet dissolve completely in a few months. With raw material costs rising from Rs 400 to nearly Rs 700, Khajua sculptors have raised prices by 10 to 15%, yet demand remains strong," said Abhishek. Adding to the sustainability movement, cow dung, cocopeat and clay idols have become a major trend. Initiated by 'Go For Gomti' in 2023, these Rs 350 idols can be immersed at home in a pot or garden and contain seeds of lauki, taroi, kaddu, karela, mirch, dhania, ajwain and tulsi that grow into plants. Founder Prateek Bhardwaj said, "Around 1,500 idols have been sold with a target of reaching 5,000 to 6,000 families, with bulk orders from Barabanki, Unnao, Kanpur, Hardoi and Sitapur. " Roti Kapda Foundation secretary Riddhi Kishore Gaur said adoption has grown to over 400 families for its Rs 350 idols and Rs 5 cow dung diyas, available at Lete Hue Hanuman Ji Mandir, Panchvati Ghat with courier facility. 'Seva Sankalp' general secretary Sukhpreet Kaur reported a 60% surge in demand for its products made by underprivileged women....