NT BUZZ brings you a glimpse of a few of the innovative Ganesh decor
created by families around the state
NT BUZZ
Kalangutkar family, Calangute
At the Kalangutkar home in Calangute, Ganesh Chaturthi is also a time to reawaken their creative streak. Every year, the family comes together to create a vibrant and eco-friendly backdrop for Lord Ganesha’s visit to their home. “We have been doing this artistic decor for the past 10-12 years. The family sits down and plans the theme one month in advance. In the beginning, my sister used to take charge of it. But in recent years, I have been at the forefront,” says Utkarsh Uday Kalangutkar. Environmental themes remain their focus. This time around, their theme was coconuts. Right from the fruit to the shell and the coir, all of these were used to create a stunning dwelling for Lord Ganesha.
Shetgaonkar family, Morjim
Hiru Shetgaonkar began creating themed Ganesh decor about four years ago as a way of displaying his artistic talent. “Previously, our festive decor used to be simple. But since I had time on my hands then as I had not secured admissions to pursue Fine Arts then, I decided to do something creative for the Ganesh backdrop,” he shares. Since then, the young artist who is now in his third year at Goa College of Art, has been doing innovative decor each year. This time around, the Morjim-based artist armed with his tools of cardboard, paper, and paints decided to recreate his local temple in his home. Planning began nearly four months ago. “Usually, people tend to create scenes from the Mahabharata when they plan their decor. But not everyone may know the stories behind the scenes. But when they see this temple themed decor, they can immediately understand that this is the local temple,” he says.
Naikgaonkar family, Pernem
Kannaya Naikgaonkar, his wife Aishwarya and family from Tuem, Pernem, have been creating theme-based Ganesh decorations for six years. Preparations start about a week before the festival. This year’s theme, ‘Antique Goan House’, was designed by the couple, with help from their cousins.
Naik family, Sangolda
In Sangolda, the Naik family has been crafting theme-based Ganesh Chaturthi decorations for over a decade. “Preparations usually begin about one and a half months before Ganesh Chaturthi,” says Poorna Naik. This year’s theme drew inspiration from their ancestral family temple, their Kuldevta, Mulvir Devastan in Pernem; they chose to recreate the sanctity and atmosphere of an ancient temple within their home. The Lord Ganesha idol is framed against a backdrop of stone-like walls draped with natural greenery. A pond with flowing water and floating lotuses, traditional temple-style doors, natural plants, and oil lamps complete the scene. The entire family contributed to the effort, making the decoration a true collective creation. The family also believes in reusing materials from previous years.
Mainkar family, Sattari
Vinod Mainkar’s journey in Ganesh decoration spans over 30 years, evolving from simple setups in his youth to detailed theme-based displays that now form a family tradition. Planning this begins months in advance. “This year’s theme depicted the story of Ganesha guarding Parvati’s chamber, chosen to show his innocence and devotion to his mother,” says Vinod, who leads the process, with younger family members assisting in painting, cutting and arranging the decorations. Materials such as frames, cloth, lights and thermocol are often reused, helping save costs and reduce waste.
Zambaulikar family, Sanguem
Karishma Zambaulikar from Sanguem has been leading her family’s Ganesh Chaturthi decorations for the past five years. “Before that, my father and uncles took care of it during our 11-day joint family celebrations,” she recalls. An architecture student, Zambaulikar spends two days on the decorations, sometimes even skipping college to focus on the preparations. This year, she recreated a backdrop inspired by the main ‘garbhagriha’ of Pune’s famous Dagadushet Temple. “I designed the structure myself and my cousins helped with painting and finishing,” she explains. She too reuses materials from past years.
Velingkar family, Ponda
At Ganesh Chaturthi decorations at the 200-year-old Shenvi Velingkar Niwas in Veling, Ponda, have moved from hand-painted glass and craft paper to digital prints, retaining their traditional charm.
Preparations usually begin two to three Sundays before the festival, says artist Bhavesh Vallabh Shenvi Velingkar. This year’s theme reimagines floral motifs in a vivid, contemporary style, with a butterfly painting by his wife and fellow artist, Sneha
Lawande Velingkar.
The century-old ‘makhar’ is modelled on those used in Goan temples for Navaratri. “Our ancestors followed eco-friendly practices, reusing the original glass floral paintings every year. Today, the decorations are made of acrylic glass and foam board, which are also reusable, with only new paper cuttings included annually to give Lord Ganesh a fresh welcome,” says Bhavesh.
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Vengurlekar home, Verem
For the past five years, Raj Vengurlekar of Verem has been designing theme-based Ganesh Chaturthi decorations. Preparation starts about a month before the festival. This year’s theme, ‘Vithu Mauli’, depicted the divine aura of Pandharpur and presented Lord Vitthal as the ‘Mauli’. “We wanted to showcase the bond between Ganpati Bappa and Vithoba while conveying devotion, simplicity and unity in faith,” he says. While Raj leads the design, family members assist with painting and assembling.
Morajkar home, Bambolim
This Ganesh Chaturthi, the Morajkar family of Bambolim Khursachi Ghol welcomed the deity with a Mahadev-themed decoration made by Shrunkhal Morajkar. For the past four years, Shrunkhal has been putting together the festive setup, a responsibility earlier handled by his uncle. “Last year I had chosen a Vithal theme, and that’s when the idea of doing a Mahadev decoration came to me,” he says. Preparations begin nearly a month in advance. His parents take care of the ‘foli’, a traditional ceiling decoration made with colourful paper that brightens the hall, while Shrunkhal looks after the rest of the decorations.
Thakur home
The Thakur family has been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi with theme-based decorations for 30 years. The tradition, started by Dattaram H. Thakur, is now continued by his daughter Akshata and her cousins with his guidance. “We first decide on the theme, then collect the materials. If a special idol (murti) is needed, we order it a month before and the decoration itself begins about a week ahead,” says Akshata. Most often, the family chooses themes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata or the lives of saints such as Janabai and Gora Kumbhar, using reused materials.
Naik family, Panaji
For brothers Yashas and Varad Naik from Panaji, Ganesh Chaturthi has long been a time to combine devotion with creativity. While their family celebrations once centred on simple decorations, for the past four to five years, their home now hosts elaborate theme-based décor. Preparation this year began two to three weeks in advance and they chose to immerse themselves in history, opting for a Marathi Peshwa theme. The idol has been placed in a majestic palace setting, reminiscent of royal courts and grandeur. The decoration is carefully designed to make the deity appear as if He is being worshipped in a king’s durbar. The brothers consciously repurpose and reuse materials from the previous years.
(Compiled by Adithi Sharma, Christine Machado and Ramandeep Kaur)
