Indore Family Keeps 200-Year-Old Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idol Tradition Alive

An Indore-based family is preserving a 200-year-old tradition of crafting traditional Ganesha idols that dates back to the era of Ahilyabai Holkar. Sixth-generation artisan Shyam Khargonkar, a retired bank employee, said the family has served the Holkar royal court for generations, creating clay idols installed at Rajwada Palace and other royal locations.

Each idol requires nearly four months of meticulous work. The entire extended family—including daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren—participates in sculpting and painting. The Khargonkars use only natural yellow clay and avoid plaster of Paris, ensuring the idols are fully eco-friendly and can dissolve when immersed in household water.

Idols are made exclusively on pre-order basis, with many customers representing families that have maintained multi-generational associations with the artisans.