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The number of huge colourful Vinayaka idols placed by various Hindu outfits at vantage points of the city has touched an unprecedented 1,250mark this year.

With the police giving nod to place Vinayaka idols in over 1,200 places, Chennaiites for the next few days are sure to see massive, eco-friendly Vinayaka idols in almost all parts of the city.

Over 6,000 police personnel will be involved in providing security to Vinayaka idols and will ensure peace is maintained in sensitive areas.

However, Hindu organisations claimed that more than 5,000 idols (3-18 feet tall) were being placed in street corners. .

“We will be deploying enough police personnel for the festival. Home Guard members and men from special battalions will be also used to increase vigil in sensitive areas,“ a senior police officer said.

The police after holding taking with Hindu groups have decided that idol immersions would take place on Saturday (August 3), Sunday (August 4) and Monday (August 5).

One group is given permission to immerse next Sunday (August 11). The stage is set for colourful Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations on Thursday. A majestic image of Lord Ganesh is being readied using 1,008 kg of bhoondhi in T.Nagar. In all, about 770 images each measuring at least 18 feet high would adorn the celebrations.

“We have planned to install 5,501 idols of Lord Vinayaka ranging from three to 18 feet this year as against 5,000 that we had installed last year“, says A. T. Elangovan, Chennai city general secretary of Hindu Munnani.

The gigantic icon at Kaliamman Street in Virugambakkam would have Ganesh seated on a boat. “The authorities have permitted us to keep the idols at 70 new places and also take the immersion processions from Muthusamy Bridge in north Chennai, Valluvarkottam and Sivankoil in Triplicane on Sept. 4,” Mr Elangovan added.

The auspicious occasion will also see numerous clay idols of the god being put up for display. “The demand for Pillayar idols is increasing every year and loads of them have reached the market. The Lord Ganesh idols in different sizes, shapes and colour are kept ready for sale on Thursday for the public”, says a sculptor who has been working round the clock to make clay and papier-mâché images.

A five-foot-high Ganesh idol costs about Rs.2,000. The cost increases as the height escalates, says an idol maker.

Sowcarpet, a predominant Hindi speaking area, will have Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, banishing corruption this time. This Anna Hazare Ganesha with spectacles, would be around three feet high .