Pune eatery builds 13-foot Ganesh idol from 21,000 panipuris

A striking Ganesh idol from Pune has caught attention this Ganeshotsav. Instead of clay, it has been made from panipuri, a popular street snack, setting it apart from every other Ganesh idol.

The operators of Ganesh Bhel, a well known eatery on Pune's FC Road, combined devotion and creativity in a way that is being talked about widely. According to the information available, around 21,000 panipuris were used to build the 13-foot-tall idol of Lord Ganesh. Rupesh and Dinesh Gudmewar shaped the idol over nearly two months of work.

Panipuri shells are extremely crisp and delicate, which means they can break easily. Because of this, artisans were specially engaged during the festival to protect the idol from damage and keep it safe. Photos and videos of the idol are being widely shared on social media, and people have been left amazed after seeing it.

The most distinctive part of this unusual idol is that it will not be immersed in water. To prevent water pollution and avoid wasting food, the 21,000 puris will be processed and converted into organic manure. This means that after the immersion ritual, the puris will be put to proper use instead of being wasted in water, and this is what people have liked the most.

The idol has drawn many reactions online. One user wrote, "Wow, this is something different." Another wrote, "This decision, made keeping the environment in mind, truly deserves praise." Another user jokingly asked, "Can these puris be eaten later?"