Parel Cha Maharaja Creator Arun Datte Discusses Iconic Idol, Reinventing Tradition, and Sustainability Challenges

Ganeshotsav 2025 has witnessed a unique and extraordinary creation—a Ganpati idol that challenges the very laws of physics. Meet the genius sculptor behind it, Arun Datte. His idol for Parel Cha Maharaja this year is taking the city by storm, capturing hearts and dominating social media with its innovative design.

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Known for his creativity, Arun Datte’s latest masterpiece has pushed the boundaries of traditional Ganesh idols. Designed with an awe-inspiring 45-degree tilted posture, this idol appears to be hanging mid-air, defying gravity with an elegance that’s hard to put into words. Local Samosa interviewed Datte this year for everything from his craft, creativity, skillset and challenges.

Faith Meets Innovation: A Masterpiece in the Making

In a city where iconic idols like the Lalbaugcha Raja reign supreme, Parel Cha Maharaja’s idol has emerged as the most talked-about Ganpati of the season. But what makes this creation so special? In an interview, Arun Datte shared his vision: "The tilted stance is symbolic of balance, especially in times of chaos. In today’s world, maintaining harmony amidst struggles is crucial. I wanted to reflect that in the idol."

A sculptor of incredible skill, Datte has been creating Ganpati idols for the Parel Cha Maharaja mandal since 2017. However, it was in 2025 that he decided to take the plunge and create something that would forever change how we view the festival’s artistic interpretations.

Eco-friendly Murtis, the Process & Skilled Labourers

Arun Datte shared, “Bookings start in January and get closed by May. From June onwards, all the remaining pandals book their murtis. The actual work begins in June.”

Some of the famous Mumbai pandals I create murtis for include Malabar Hill, Parel cha Maharaja, Ganesh Galli, Kamathipura. This year, Santacruz’s 20-feet murti is an eco-friendly one, made out of paper. I created it in February-March as it’s made during the summer and not monsoon. The entire process is completely different from the one used for making POP and other murtis.”

For 2025, Datte had orders for 108 Ganesh murtis at the time of the interview. Elaborating on the process of making the eco-friendly murti, Datte shared that the first step includes mixing paper and powder. It is then mixed for 15 days and then gum is added along with whiting powder. Inside, a layer and coating of Fevicol goes on. 

When asked about whether the numbers have dipped when it comes to orders for Sarvajanik Ganesh murtis, he said that he hasn’t seen any changes. The only thing that varies is the number between all the talented murtikaars that’s purely based on the size of the workshop. “The only issue is the space for which we have to fight for as it’s difficult to expand the space in Mumbai.”

His workshops are in several places including Chinchpokli, Lalbaug and even Panvel. Arun Datte employs 60-70 people, boosting not just the economy during Ganesh Chaturthi but also providing for the labourers whose talent brings the murtis to life.

Local Samosa asked him if the demand has increased for eco-friendly murtis. Datte said, “Yes, the numbers have gone up but it’s not easy to deliver these paper murtis across Mumbai.” Talking about the debate on banning POP murtis, he mentioned that it’s impossible for any murtikaar to deliver the sheer number of eco-friendly murtis that might have to be picked as an alternative. Datte clarified that the most he could do would have been 20 eco-friendly ones. Surely these murtis are lightweight compared to the traditional ones but the process is time consuming and tedious. Another key aspect is the cost. A POP murti that costs around 2 lakhs would cost about 4 lakhs, approximately double for using paper. It’s the effort and labour that ultimately decides the price. Another great point Datte made was that these murtis require special labourers with a different skillset. The ones who create POP murtis can’t create eco-friendly ones.

Since Arun Datte is famous for making huge murtis for famous pandals, we were curious if he even makes smaller ones. “Only a select few, 10-15 murtis, for VIPs!” he grinned. 

Visarjan Mandates & the Reality of Sustainability

The debate, that actually flares up every year, but was pushed further into the limelight was about Ganpati visarjan. Almost a month before the biggest festival of Ganpati arrives in Mumbai, the Bombay High Court on July 24 made it mandatory for all Ganesh idols — both clay or Plaster of Paris (PoP) measuring up to six feet in height to be immersed in artificial ponds provided by municipal corporations and local bodies across Maharashtra.

Arun Datte said, “Water from the workshops, and everything else in the city goes into the sea ultimately. Year long nobody talks about this not being eco-friendly yet the 10 days we celebrate Ganeshotsav is when the mandates come in.” He clarified that he has no intention of making it a political statement but stated that it’s simply the people’s desire to celebrate the traditional festival. Datte emphasised that change can come but it will halve the number of pandals as not everyone will be able to afford eco-friendly murtis. Also, the labourers who are skilled at making these murtis are few, rendering the ones who create POP murtis jobless if the mandate for eco-friendly ones arrives. 

A Symbol of Balance and Reinventing Tradition

The gravity-defying tilt of this year’s Parel Cha Maharaja idol is more than just a visual marvel; it carries deep spiritual meaning. As Arun Datte explains, "Ganpati Bappa, in this form, represents life’s constant tug-of-war between chaos and balance. The tilt is a metaphor—life may seem off-balance at times, but there’s always a way to find equilibrium."

This unique design quickly went viral, with devotees and art lovers flooding social media with praise. Crafted by Arun with the help of his trusted welder Ameen Bhai, the idol has been celebrated as the “idol of the year” by people across 15 states.

As the Parel Cha Maharaja pandal celebrates its 82nd year, this creation marks a blend of innovation and tradition. Arun shares, "We decided to take a risk this year. People expect the same idols, but we dared to be different. The response has been overwhelming."

Several murtikaars in Mumbai are known for their extraordinary skills and for creating murtis that bring peace. More than just a beautifully crafted idol, this year’s creation symbolises faith, creativity, and resilience. So, if you haven’t yet, visit the pandal to witness Arun Datte’s gravity-defying masterpiece—truly a perfect blend of art, faith, and unity.