Archive · 5 Aug 2025
Pen, Maharashtra: Town Crafting Ganesh Idols for Chaturthi
In a small town called Pen, in India, many people make statues of the elephant-headed god, Ganesha, for a big festival.
Over 15,000 workshops there create these idols by hand.
Some idols are made from clay, which is brought from Gujarat, and then painted with natural colors.
The finished statues, big and small, are then sent to places like Mumbai and even other countries so people can celebrate the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi.
This special tradition has been going on for a long time.
Pen, a town in Maharashtra, is a major hub for crafting Ganesh idols.
Over 15,000 idol-making units employ most of the village's skilled artisans.
Idols range in size from small to over 20 feet, crafted by hand.
Idols are shipped to Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik, and internationally.
The art of making Ganesh idols has been passed down for generations in Pen.
- Who
- Artisans in Pen.
- What
- Pen is a hub for crafting Ganesh idols.
- When
- Each year around Ganesh Chaturthi.
- Where
- Pen, a town in Maharashtra.
- Why
- To create Ganesh idols for homes and pandals.
- Location
- Pen, Maharashtra
- Idol Making Units
- Over 15,000
- Idol Material
- Clay ('shadu maati')
- GI Tag
- Secured for Geographical Indication
- Destination Cities
- Mumbai, Pune, Thane, Nashik