Mumbai Residents Craft Natural Clay Ganpati Idols in Pre-Festival Workshops

Ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees across Mumbai are participating in Ganpati-making workshops to sculpt their own idols using natural clay, blending art, tradition, and sustainability.

The interactive sessions offer participants a different way to prepare for the festival by crafting their own murtis, which in some cases can be taken home for the upcoming celebrations.

Samah Jain, a workshop curator, noted that people are increasingly seeking experiences where they can create items with their own hands. Jain explained that because people share an emotional connection with Ganpati, making the idol personally adds another layer of meaning to the festive celebration.

Tia Shah, a homemaker who attended a workshop with her 12-year-old daughter Samaira, shared that the experience was engaging for both of them. Shah said she wanted her daughter to experience the festival in a hands-on way, adding that making the Ganpati idol herself made the occasion feel more meaningful.

Yash Gupte, founder of an art studio, emphasized the community and cultural aspects of the craft. Gupte stated that art has always brought people together to celebrate culture, adding that sculpting a personal Ganpati turns devotion into an engaging experience focused on learning, enjoying the process, and staying connected to cultural roots.