crown

Subscribe Now

FOLLOW US

Sign in

Photos: Monsoon hits Maharashtra’s Pen but Ganesha idol makers undaunted

Incessant rain clobbered large swathes of Maharashtra in late July and early August, bringing 104% of the average rainfall between June and August even though Marathwada and parts of Vidarbha remained rain-deficient. For the artisans of Pen, an idol boom town in the state’s Raigad district, this exact period was meant to be their most productive of the year as they worked towards large orders for Ganesh Chaturthi, Maharashtra’s biggest festival. Instead, they saw much of their work washed away in the rains. With mere weeks to go, they have been hard at recovering from the setback and ensuring the festive spirit isn't dampened.

Updated on: Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM IST

Share via

Copy link

1/10

An idol of the Hindu god Ganesha near completion that was damaged due to rains in the first week of August, in Pen, Raigad district, Maharashtra. As per data released by the IMD till August 14, Maharashtra had recorded 902.3mm of rainfall against 685.8mm average rainfall. Maharashtra topped the list of the wettest states in the country. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

An idol of the Hindu god Ganesha near completion that was damaged due to rains in the first week of August, in Pen, Raigad district, Maharashtra. As per data released by the IMD till August 14, Maharashtra had recorded 902.3mm of rainfall against 685.8mm average rainfall. Maharashtra topped the list of the wettest states in the country. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

2/10

Ravindra Rasal, 45, stands among a range of idols, most of Ganesha at his workshop in Pen. The month leading up to Ganesh Chaturthi in September is a busy one for idol makers like Rasal in Pen, which comes alive as orders pour in from far and wide. This year, the delayed yet heavy monsoon washed away much of artisans’ early efforts. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

Ravindra Rasal, 45, stands among a range of idols, most of Ganesha at his workshop in Pen. The month leading up to Ganesh Chaturthi in September is a busy one for idol makers like Rasal in Pen, which comes alive as orders pour in from far and wide. This year, the delayed yet heavy monsoon washed away much of artisans’ early efforts. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

3/10

Idols in various stages of completion sit to dry under a shed. Many artisans in the town reported losses of raw materials in the range of 50-70% due to the rains. Maharashtra received 104% of the average rainfall between June and August this year though Marathwada and parts of Vidarbha remained rain-deficient, CM Devendra Fadnavis said during a review of the situation earlier this month. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

Idols in various stages of completion sit to dry under a shed. Many artisans in the town reported losses of raw materials in the range of 50-70% due to the rains. Maharashtra received 104% of the average rainfall between June and August this year though Marathwada and parts of Vidarbha remained rain-deficient, CM Devendra Fadnavis said during a review of the situation earlier this month. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

4/10

Women salvage an idol at Hamrapur village in Pen. Pen’s association with Ganesha idols stretches back to the 1980s, when then town stepped up to cater to a rising demand for idols of the elephant-headed god, as the Ganesha Festival saw a surge in popularity across India and among the Maharashtrian diaspora. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

Women salvage an idol at Hamrapur village in Pen. Pen’s association with Ganesha idols stretches back to the 1980s, when then town stepped up to cater to a rising demand for idols of the elephant-headed god, as the Ganesha Festival saw a surge in popularity across India and among the Maharashtrian diaspora. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

5/10

Some, like 87-year-old Pandurang Hazare (L), have been in the trade for far longer. This workshop, which has employed five generations of the family beginning with Hazare’s father, specialises in eco-friendly idols using clay –a material particularly vulnerable to the perils of monsoon. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

Some, like 87-year-old Pandurang Hazare (L), have been in the trade for far longer. This workshop, which has employed five generations of the family beginning with Hazare’s father, specialises in eco-friendly idols using clay –a material particularly vulnerable to the perils of monsoon. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

6/10

A worker tends to the fire under a batch of wet clay idols to speed up the drying process during damp monsoon days at a workshop. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

A worker tends to the fire under a batch of wet clay idols to speed up the drying process during damp monsoon days at a workshop. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

7/10

The first coats of paint are sprayed on to a smaller idol. While the boom of Pen’s idol trade was in part due to the introduction of Plaster of Paris idols that were quicker to dry –speeding up production –curbs on its use and that of chemical dyes due to their environmental impact have renewed interest among artisans and buyers for natural pigments and base materials. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

The first coats of paint are sprayed on to a smaller idol. While the boom of Pen’s idol trade was in part due to the introduction of Plaster of Paris idols that were quicker to dry –speeding up production –curbs on its use and that of chemical dyes due to their environmental impact have renewed interest among artisans and buyers for natural pigments and base materials. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

8/10

Clay idols of the enthroned Ganapati, with luxuriantly plump bellies grace the floor of a workshop while the clothes of workers hand on a wall adjacent. These past few weeks have been spent in overdrive, trying to catch up with the progress that was washed away. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

Clay idols of the enthroned Ganapati, with luxuriantly plump bellies grace the floor of a workshop while the clothes of workers hand on a wall adjacent. These past few weeks have been spent in overdrive, trying to catch up with the progress that was washed away. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

9/10

A woman carries a large, still wet idol of Ganesha atop her head to dry at Hamrapur village. Many workshops have seen the participation of family members, including the women of the household, who may not routinely have been involved in the work as the September 2 advent of the ten-day festival draws closer. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

A woman carries a large, still wet idol of Ganesha atop her head to dry at Hamrapur village. Many workshops have seen the participation of family members, including the women of the household, who may not routinely have been involved in the work as the September 2 advent of the ten-day festival draws closer. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

10/10

A painter surrounded by idols of Ganesha lends finishing touches to pieces before they head to their destinations. During Ganesh Chaturthi devotees will bring the elephant headed god home with festivities culminating with the immersion of idols, signifying his return to Mount Kailash and the artisans at Pen are optimistic they will do justice to their part in his journey. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Updated on Aug 27, 2019 12:25 PM

A painter surrounded by idols of Ganesha lends finishing touches to pieces before they head to their destinations. During Ganesh Chaturthi devotees will bring the elephant headed god home with festivities culminating with the immersion of idols, signifying his return to Mount Kailash and the artisans at Pen are optimistic they will do justice to their part in his journey. (Satish Bate / HT Photo)

Related Photos

Home/Photos/News/Photos: Monsoon Hits Maharashtra’s Pen But Ganesha Idol Makers Undaunted

© 2026 HindustanTimes