Here’s a mindboggling exhibition to celebrate the ongoing season of Chavath or Ganesh Chaturthi. Maendra Alvares of Casa Araujo Alvares in Loutolim has put on exhibit his collection of 3,861 Lord Ganesh idols to spread the message of love, music and peace. There are idols of seeds, shells, bamboo root, clay, rice grains and other ingredients inspiring the creative spirit in artistes and of course a love for all that Lord Ganesh represents in Hindu religious lore. Alvares has been putting his Lord Ganesh idols on exhibit for the last 15 years to showcase the folk culture around Hinduism’s most popular elephant-headed god. According to him it started off as a passion for Lord Ganesh and collecting his idols while travelling in India and abroad, some of the idols were gifted to him by friends. His oldest exhibit is a 150 years old sandalwood idol gifted by a family friend. Idols range from half centimeter to 11 inches. The idols are stored in the Alvares’ home and office premises and plans are afoot now to have a permanent display of his collection. In the meantime do not miss this exhibition! Venue: Casa Araujo Alvares, Loutolim, south Goa. Date: Sept 8. Time: 9am to 5.30pm