Ganesh Chaturthi special | From Chinchpokli to Khetwadi, Mumbai's Bappa themes revealed

As the devotees are eager to know this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi themes, all eyes are on the artisans shaping Mumbai’s most beloved idols. Just days before the festivities begin, mid-day.com speaks to Siddhesh Dighole, the creative force behind some of the city's most admired Bappas.

Revealing this year’s themes, he shares that Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani will be based on Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, featuring a throne that reflects the grandeur of royal Maratha aesthetics. At Chandanwadi, the idol will take the divine form of Lord Vitthal. In Khetwadi, the seventh lane will welcome Bappa in the avatar of Lord Venkateshwar, while the sixth lane idol draws inspiration from Tirupati Balaji. The second and third lanes will feature Lord Ganesha in the form of Lord Shankar.

A student of legendary sculptor Vijay Khatu, the 32-year-old artist behind Mumbai’s iconic idols such as the 26-foot-tall Khetwadi Ganpati and Chinchpokli’s Chintamani, reveals the creative process, themes, and challenges of crafting these grand idols. “I put my heart and soul into each idol. Creating Ganpati idols is not a seasonal business; it’s a year-long devotion. Throughout the year, I keep sketching different avatars of Ganpati Bappa. I visualise my ideas, design them on paper, and plan each idol meticulously. Every idol I create is not just a sculpture but a storytelling piece,” he says. His personal favourites from his creation remain the Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani, Chandanwadi Cha Raja and Kalachowki Cha Mahaganpati.Siddesh Dighole. PIC/ SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

A graduate in Computer Science from Mumbai’s Ruparel College, Siddhesh is the sole proprietor of Kalagandh Arts and has been creating Ganpati idols for over 17 years. His journey began at the age of 13 when he started working at a Ganpati workshop in Borivali, where he had the fortune of learning from the legendary Vijay Khatu. From 2010 to 2020, he worked under Khatu’s guidance before finally establishing his own studio in 2023. He also employs a team of skilled workers who earn between Rs 800 to Rs 3,000 per day, depending on their role.

Siddhesh crafts idols that quite literally stand tall, among them, Chandanwadi Cha Raja at 25 feet, Kalachowki Mahaganpati at 23 feet, Chinchpokli Cha Chintamani at 21–22 feet, Khetwadi 7th Lane Ganpati at 26 feet (the tallest), and Khetwadi 6th Lane Ganpati at 22–23 feet. He has also created elaborate idols for Hyderabad’s Hanuman Sena Mandal and Surat’s Aradhya Raj Ganesh Utsav, some of his most expensive works, costing around Rs 8–9 lakh.

According to Dighole, “Each Ganpati mandal has its own charm and identity. For instance, Chandanwadi is known for its changing themes, while the 13 lanes of Khetwadi are known for their friendly yet fierce idol-making competition.”An artist paints an idol at Parel Railway Workshop in Mumbai. PIC/ ANUSHREE GAIKWAD

Beyond Ganpati idols, Siddhesh also crafts around 70 Devi idols each year during Navratri, including Mumbai Chi Mauli, as well as the goddesses from Sakinaka, Kolhapur and Nanded. 

In recent years, Siddhesh has also encouraged sustainable practices, offering recyclable small POP pooja idols to promote environmental awareness.

However, the work comes with its own set of challenges. The biggest hurdle? Space and time. “We’re allotted a limited time at the Parel railway workshop in Mumbai, usually from June to Dussehra, and within this short window, we have to complete a large number of idols,” he explains.

Siddhesh acknowledges the help he receives from the civic body. “The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation supports us well by inspecting water tanks and ensuring hygiene at the workshop. The Mumbai Police also provide strong logistical support during the entire process,” he says.

From a three-year-old fascinated by the beauty of Ganpati Bappa to a celebrated sculptor shaping Mumbai’s festive skyline, his story is one of passion, perseverance and pure devotion. As Mumbai gears up to welcome Bappa once again, it’s artists like him who make the magic come alive.