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Pen Ganesh Idol Sales Reach 70 Lakh Amid Global Demand
Pen, a town in Maharashtra, is famous for making Ganesh idols.
This year, makers there sold more than 70 lakh idols.
Many idols were sent to other parts of India and to countries overseas.
The biggest overseas demand came from places with Indian and Marathi communities.
Some reports said 15–20 lakh idols were exported, while another figure mentioned about five lakh specific clay and plaster idols.
Idol prices increased because the materials became more expensive.
Cloth-made idols were especially popular.
Shipments were sent through Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.
Exports were delayed for a short time because of conflict in the Gulf region.
Pen in Maharashtra sold more than 70 lakh Ganesh idols for Ganeshotsav 2026.
Around 15–20 lakh idols were reportedly exported, although another estimate cited five lakh overseas dispatches.
Demand increased from India and countries including the United States, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Australia.
Idol prices rose by 15–20% because of higher raw-material costs, but orders remained strong.
Exports were shipped through Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority and briefly delayed by Gulf-region conflict.
- Who
- Ganesh idol makers and sellers in Pen, along with buyers in India and overseas Indian communities.
- What
- More than 70 lakh Ganesh idols were sold for Ganeshotsav 2026, with substantial overseas demand.
- Where
- Pen taluka in Raigad district, Maharashtra, with idols distributed across India and exported to several countries.
- When
- Sales were reported ahead of Ganeshotsav, which begins on September 14, 2026; major overseas consignments were sent from March to May.
- Why
- Demand was strong among Indian and Marathi communities abroad, despite higher prices caused by rising raw-material costs.
Key facts
- Total sales
- More than 70 lakh Ganesh idols were sold from Pen.
- Reported exports
- Around 15–20 lakh idols were described as exported; a separate report cited about five lakh Shadu clay and plaster of Paris idols dispatched overseas.
- Price increase
- Idol prices rose by 15–20% because of higher raw-material costs.
- Popular variety
- Cloth-made Ganesh idols were among the most sought-after types.
- Overseas destinations
- Demand was reported from the United States, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Malaysia, Indonesia, Mauritius and the West Indies.
- Shipping route
- Overseas consignments were transported through Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority.
- Export disruption
- Shipments were temporarily delayed by the conflict situation in the Gulf region before resuming.
Quotes
An idol seller
A seller of Ganesh idols from Pen, Raigad, Maharashtra
“Pen is considered the home of Ganpati idols, and idols made here are sent across the country and exported to places such as the US, Dubai and the West Indies. Exports begin in January and continue until June, after which the focus shifts to local demand.”
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