Mumbai artisans gear up for Ganesh Chaturthi

As one of the most vibrant and much-loved festivals of Mumbai, Ganesh Chaturthi approaches, artisans across the city get busy, meticulously crafting idols of Lord Ganesha. We took a round of the various workshops, where the air was thick with anticipation, creativity, and devotion, as skilled craftsmen brought the beloved deity to life.
A symphony of clay and colours
Most artisans are from families who have been in the idol-making business for generations, and their expertise is evident in the intricate details of the idols. When asked about themes, an Andheri-based artisan said, “While the regular traditional Ganesha sitting on a throne, on an asan, or standing on one leg are common every year, this year a baby-faced, smiling Ganesha with curly hair tied up in a bun like Shiv Ji is a favourite.” Vasantrao, an idol maker based in the central suburbs, adds, "The younger version of Ganpati is among the popular styles in 2024. We have also created a Ganesha idol that has Lord Shiva's blue coloured skin. The Koli Ganesha wearing the traditional fisherman attire and sitting on a boat is another style that is bought by locals.”
Another variation of the baby Ganpati is one sitting on Mushakraj, his vahan, holding a large modak. There are some Ganpati idols that are dressed in royal hues and have the likeness of his brother Lord Kartik, with his vahan, a peacock around his feet.
Traditional murtis with a contemporary eco-friendly twist
While traditional ones dominate, artisans are also incorporating eco-friendly practices to align with environmental consciousness. Instead of the non-biodegradable plaster of Paris, eco-friendly idols made of natural clay and organic colors remain popular with woke devotees. These idols dissolve easily in water, minimizing the environmental impact during the visarjan.
Rohit Vaste, a Goregaon based idol maker who specialises in eco-friendly paper murtis of Ganesha, says, "This year I’ve made 1200 idols of various sizes that are priced between 2100 to 35000 INR. There is no theme as such, the traditional murti is in demand when it comes to eco-friendly variants. These are much more expensive than the other idols and so sometimes we see a dip in demand. This year everything is expensive, but I already have 750 idols that have been pre booked.”



Despite all innovations, artisans of all kinds of murtis ensure that the essence of Lord Ganesha’s visage remains unchanged.