Pune
oi-Swastika Sruti
In the Ganeshotsav celebrations in Pune this year, there is a novel twist as a big-sized idol of Lord Ganesha has been built using an unconventional material – 21,000 pani puris.
In Pune, the Ganesh Bhel team created a unique 13-foot Ganesha idol from 21,000 pani puris for Ganeshotsav celebrations, with plans to disassemble and convert the material into organic fertilizer post-festival.
This 13 feet tall idol has been created by the Ganesh Bhel team from Pune’s FC Road. It has created quite a buzz in the social media world as videos of this unique sculpture have been making rounds.
13-Foot Ganesha Idol Made With 21,000 Pani Puris
The unique statue has reportedly been made by Rupesh and Dinesh Gudmevar brothers in almost two months. Since pani puris are delicate, there is a need for constant supervision of the installation. It has been reported that artists are posted at the venue round the clock to supervise the idol.
This huge sculpture is unique amongst the various artistic Ganesha idols installed in Pune during Ganeshotsav.
21,000 pani puris went into making this 13-foot Ganpati in Pune. 😳🙏
From street food to street-side art, this is peak Pune creativity.#GanpatiBappaMorya #Pune pic.twitter.com/LIvBHDi4Jd
— Gaurav Patel (@GauravPatel__01) September 15, 2026
What Will Happen To The Pani Puris After Ganeshotsav?
Among the many topics debated regarding this installation, one of the biggest concerns is what is going to happen with the 21,000 pani puris once the festival comes to an end.
Rather than submerging the whole idol into water, the creators apparently will disassemble the installation and use the puris for producing organic fertilizer.
The method was emphasized by the admirers as a way of not throwing the huge amount of material into water while disassembling the idol.
Giant Pani Puri Ganesha Goes Viral
Videographic depictions of the idol of a whopping 13 feet have gone viral on several digital platforms like Instagram and X. The odd structure has drawn a lot of responses from online communities.
A few users appreciated the effort and creativity put into the installation whereas devotional posts like “Jai Shree Ganesh” were seen in the comments section.
This idol has also started a debate regarding the usage of food items in large artistic installations.
Although some users have welcomed the use of puris for making organic manure, others have criticized the idea of using thousands of eatables in festival decoration.
A social media user has criticized this approach by saying that this much food could have easily been used in feeding hungry people.
Debate Over Creativity And Food Waste
The reactions highlight two different views surrounding the unusual idol.
Supporters see the creation as an innovative way of celebrating Ganeshotsav while also avoiding traditional immersion of a large quantity of material. The planned conversion of the puris into organic fertiliser has also been cited as part of the organisers’ effort to reuse the material.
Critics, however, have focused on the amount of food used to create the idol. Their concern is not only about waste but also about whether edible food should be used for decorative purposes when food insecurity remains an issue.
The discussion has turned the Pune installation into more than just a viral festival attraction, with social media users debating the balance between creativity, sustainability and responsible use of food.
