Bhubaneswar, Aug.13: They have travelled miles to reach the state capital - not for the money or the amusement - but out of passion for their art.

Artisans across the city are putting the finishing touches on idols ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi and their work reflects passion and devotion, for both the occasion and the spirit of celebration.

Over 300 community Ganesh pujas are organised in the city and artisans from far-off places have gathered in the city to create the idols. Around 40 artisans from Midnapore district in neighbouring Bengal are working round the clock to get the idols ready for the puja at Durga Shilpa Bhandar at Badheibanka Chhack in Old Town. Some of the tallest idols of lord Ganesh are being crafted here.

Idols for some of the popular community pujas are prepared by these Bengali artisans, including the 35ft idol for the puja committee at Saheed Nagar, considered a major attraction.

"The idols are crafted depending on the demands of the customers. While some want the deity seated on a singhasan, others want lord Ganesh in a Bahubaali posture. Most idols we craft are based on various themes," said S.C. Gorai, one of the craftsmen from Midnapore.

Some artisans have also set up camp at the Laxmi Sagar Durga Mandap for the past three months to create the idol.Bichitrananda Behera arrived in the state capital 20 years ago from Kendrapara and runs a small apparel shop. But his passion for making idols brings all his other engagements to a halt as he immerses himself in crafting idols for Ganesh puja.

"I love my art and I work not for the profit. I don't sell my idols to shops or businessmen, I make them on special orders. Our customers have faith in us and they have been taking idols from us for several years," said Behera.

Subrat Bagchi and his team craft around 80 idols every year and their customers are spread across the city and neighbouring districts. His idols make their way across the border to Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh as well.

"The time to make each idol depends on the size, which varies from 5ft to 12ft. The price starts from Rs 1,500 and rises to Rs 20,000. However, the making charges are so high now that the profit is negligible," he said.

These artisans hope that some day the people and the government would realise their value and support their endeavour in the long run. "With or without their support, we aim to continue our passion for this distinctive art. But at times, the monetary shortage does become a glitch," said Ashish Kuanr, another sculptor.