From Chitar Oli to America: Nagpur's Ganpati crossing oceans for 15 years

Time of India

2 days ago

Nagpur: In the heritage-rich lanes of Chitar Oli, where idol-making is a sacred family art, 31-year-old Nikhil Juratkar continues a three-generation legacy. As a sculptor deeply rooted in tradition, Juratkar has made a name for himself, crafting eco-friendly Ganpati idols — not only for Nagpur but also for devotees as far as the United States.
For over 15 years, his idols have reached Indian families abroad, including that of Dr Shraddha Gawankar, who earlier lived in Vermillion City, South Dakota, and now resides in Baltimore, Maryland. Each year, she places an order for two idols — one for her society pandal and one for her home — crafted in Nagpur and shipped overseas.
"For over 15 years, I have been ordering eco-friendly Ganpati idols from Nikhil Dada — a truly gifted artist. Even after moving to the USA, we continue celebrating
Ganesh Chaturthi
with our Marathi Mandal, and every year, Nikhil dada ensures our beautiful Bappa arrives on time, all the way across the globe," she said.
What makes his idols special is not just their intricate design but also the choice of materials. Juratkar uses a blend of five different types of shadu mitti — a type of natural, eco-friendly clay that is more expensive than regular soil. But the cost, he says, is worth it for both tradition and the environment. "It dissolves easily in water, leaving no harmful residue. That's what makes it sacred," he says.
Once an idol is complete, the packaging process begins — just as carefully.
Grass is first placed inside the base of the box to cushion the idol, which is then carefully wrapped, covered, and placed inside a specially made wooden box. Only then is it ready for export. The entire shipment, including customs and delivery, can cost the customer up to Rs10,000.
While Juratkar also ships to cities like Pune and Varanasi, the overseas orders hold deeper emotional value. "For families abroad, it's not just about an idol.
It's about bringing home with them," he says.
Box
Preserve sanctity, avoid fads: Bajrang Dal
As newer design trends flood social media, Bajrang Dal has reminded artisans to respect tradition. Niranjan Risaldar, media and publicity head of Bajrang Dal (Vidarbha region), said, "Ganpati Bappa is not just a festival icon — he represents our faith and pride. We only ask that idols be made with devotion and in a traditional, respectful manner. This is not the time for trends or experiments, but for preserving the sanctity of our religion.
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