# Lakshmi idol prices double as costs surge this festive season 2026-10-24T23:56:26+00:00 | India | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet Kolkata: Prices of Lakshmi idols have surged ahead of the puja on Sunday, 25 October 2026, with many buyers reporting prices have doubled compared to last year. A 7-inch Lakshmi idol that sold for around Rs 250 in 2025 now costs Rs 500, while a 1-ft idol that was about Rs 650 now sells for Rs 1,200. Sellers attribute the steep rise to increased costs of materials including clay and paints, along with higher labour and transportation charges. Idols from Krishnanagar, a hub for clay idols, have also turned more expensive. Idol-maker Bikash Ghosh said heavy demand for clay during Durga Puja contributed to a shortage, pushing up prices. Retailers in Lake Market said higher prices have affected both business and customer relations. Seller Rajib Das said he brought only 20 idols this year instead of 30 due to steep prices, while buyers accuse retailers of deliberately raising costs. The price rise has added to household expenses as the festive season continues. ## Indian Opinion Analysis The doubling of idol prices pinches households already facing higher costs for fruits, vegetables and other puja essentials. The shortage of clay, driven by the scale of Durga Puja production, shows how one festival's demand ripples into the next. Retailers caught between higher procurement costs and customer suspicion face shrinking margins and volumes. The price surge, attributed by sellers to raw material, labour and transport costs, leaves unresolved whether the trend will persist through the remaining festive season. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Led with price comparison and attributed all claims to named sellers and buyers This brief was synthesised by AI from the source linked above. Tags: Bikash Ghosh, Kolkata, Krishnanagar, Lakshmi Puja, Rajib Das Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/lakshmi-idol-prices-double-as-costs-surge-this-festive-season/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/lakshmi-idol-prices-double-as-costs-surge-this-festive-season/#story-in-brief How this brief was made: an AI model read the report linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/