VARANASI, Nov. 7 -- Kashi's 'Teeli-wale' (stick-adorned) Lakshmi-Ganesh idols are set to receive GI tag with hearing being concluded. These idols hold religious significance for special Diwali worship and are also linked to the Maratha community; they are distributed from Kashi to destinations across India and abroad. 'Teeli-wale' Lakshmi-Ganesh idols, crafted from the sacred soil of the Ganga, represent a unique blend of religious faith, ancient folk tradition, and the artistry of Banaras, says Dr Rajni Kant, a Padma Shri awardee, often referred to as the 'GI Man of India. He filed the application to secure a Geographical Indication (GI) tag for this traditional craft under 'Banaras Clay Craft.' Having completed the hearing stage, and the registration is now awaited, he added. According to Dr Rajni Kant, devotees install them in their homes and business establishments, seeking wealth, prosperity, peace, and well-being. Their distinctive features-crowns adorned with delicate sticks, vibrant traditional colour schemes, and their entirely handmade nature-set them apart from ordinary idols. This unique sculptural tradition of Kashi is also linked to the Ganesh worship practices of the Maratha community from Maharashtra. The historical tradition of Ganesh worship by the Peshwa family in Kashi, as well as the public Ganesh Utsav (festival) that began at Brahmaghat in 1898, underscores the deep-rooted religious and cultural ties between these two regions. For generations, families from the Prajapati (potter) community in the Lakshmikund area and its surroundings have preserved and nurtured this artistic tradition. Key features of these idols include shaping the clay, firing it in traditional kilns, hand-painting the details, and adorning them with decorative 'spikes' (prongs) that form a crown-like structure. From Kashi, these idols reach various states across India, as well as Indian families and devotees living abroad. Demand for them surges, particularly during the festival of Diwali. According to Dr Rajni Kant, the GI (Geographical Indication) registration will help preserve this unique heritage, bring recognition to the artisans, create new employment opportunities, and provide broader exposure in both national and international markets....