{
  "id": 7307632,
  "title": "Pune: Unique 13-Foot Ganpati Made From 21,000 Pani Puri Shells On FC Road",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/14/pune-unique-13-foot-ganpati-made-from-21-000-pani-puri-shells-on-fc",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-14T10:20:42.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/pune-unique-13-foot-ganpati-made-from-21000-pani-puri-shells-on-fc-road"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Pune, a unique 13-foot-tall and 10-foot-wide Ganpati idol has been created from 21,000 discarded pani puri shells. The unusual idol stands outside the eatery's outlet on Namdar Gokhale Path, also known as Fergusson Road. Ganesh Bhel founder Ramesh Gudmewar unveiled the idol, joined by his wife Chhaya Gudmewar, directors Rupesh Gudmewar and Dinesh Gudmewar, and their daughter Anushka Gudmewar. This is the fourth year in a row that Ganesh Bhel has crafted a distinctive Ganpati idol, each year with a different theme. Preparations for this year's idol began two months prior, with the pani puri shells manufactured in-house and artist Prashant Salunkhe bringing the idol to life.\n\nTo ensure the shells remained intact throughout the 12 days of the festival, special measures were taken. The idol's framework was constructed using eco-friendly materials like bamboo and paper. Rupesh Gudmewar, the director of Ganesh Bhel, expressed that the public's response to this creative project encouraged the company to continue such initiatives. He highlighted that the flour leftover from pani puri shell preparation had been repurposed, emphasizing the company's commitment to environmental conservation through recycling and creativity.\n\nThe director, Dinesh Gudmewar, explained that the project symbolized the emotional bond the family shares with the name Ganesh. Ganesh Bhel, founded by Ramesh and Chhaya Gudmewar from a handcart in Pune back in 1978, has expanded to over 35 outlets and exports its products to 22 countries worldwide. The idol will be displayed until Anant Chaturdashi, the concluding day of the Ganeshotsav festival. The occasion was further celebrated with the traditional Shivmudra Dhol-Tasha Pathak played during the unveiling ceremony.",
  "summary": "Pune: In a unique celebration of Ganeshotsav, a 13-foot-tall and 10-foot-wide Ganpati idol has been crafted in Pune using 21,000 pani puri shells. The distinctive idol has been installed outside the eatery’s outlet on Namdar Gokhale Path, popularly known as Fergusson Road. The idol was unveiled by Ganesh Bhel founder Ramesh Gudmewar in the presence of his wife Chhaya Gudmewar, directors Rupesh…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}