The 10-day long Ganeshotsav began with great fanfare in Mumbai on Wednesday but the price of Lord Ganesha idols which an average Mumbaikar brings home have burnt a hole in their pockets.

“We only have 5 to 6 days of festival during which we have to decorate Lord Ganesha. We can't scrimp there. So we'll scrimp for the rest of the things," said a devotee in Mumbai.

High cost of idols have made many devotees think twice but once you are there you end up shelling out.

“Last time I bought Ganeshji for Rs 1600 but it is now for Rs 2500," said another devotee.

Rising prices of clay, nails, paints have pushed idol making costs up by up to 50 per cent this time.

“Even though prices increase people will always take their Ganpatis as they need it big or small,” said Vasant Kondiba Vaykar, an artisan.

But this has not killed the festive spirit and devotees are still shelling out the extra cash. While the actual Ganesh murtis are more expensive this year, devotees don’t want to compromise on the other decorations or the size.