Ganesha is the most beloved among all the deities in Hindu religion and widely worshiped across the Globe. Ganesh Chathurthi falls in the month of (August - September) Bhadrapada of Hindu Calendar, it is widely celebrated all over India however it is extensively celebrated with great enthusiasm in Maharashtra and its neighboring states. Over the years the number of household Ganpati and Sarvajanik Mandal Ganpati idol installations is escalating at tremendous pace. As many families from the Maharastrian community has settled permanently abroad in many countries Ganesha’s birthday is celebrated with great enthusiasm in these countries too.
ASSOCHAM has estimated in 2017 that Ganesh Festival alone generates more than Rupees 20,000 crore business in 10 days with 20 percent CAGR, particularly in the states of Maharashtra and Telangana. Hyderabad, itself generates Rupees 5,000 crore business in Ganesh Chaturthi festival and is an employer for more than 20,000 families during the peak season as well the year round.
Ganpati festival makes liquidity flow in the market and money circulates to every class and creed of the society. This gives the necessary periodical boost required to our economy, flourishes most of the businesses and stimulates Indian unorganized economy on large scale through expenditure balance.
Ganpati Bappa provides enormous employment opportunities for low-skilled and traditional manufacturing sector along with small to micro level entrepreneurs which gives employment to every professional section of the society every year and its impact remains for few months.
Ganpati Idol makers, some families make idols throughout the year and it is the only source of their income. “Pen” is a small town in Raigadh district of Maharashtra, in its vicinity more than 2500 people are employed in making Ganpati idols throughout the year.
Same applies to Ganpati Makhar (decorations) manufacturers. The demand for Ganesh Makhar decorations in Mumbai alone is over 2 lakh pieces with a turnover of 20 crore. In Maharashtra, there are almost 200 small units which produce Makhar (Ganesh decoration sets) throughout the year and each employing 5 to 15 skilled and un skilled labours. Approximately there are 1000 units which function for 4 to 5 months before Ganesh festival and they too employ 5 to 15 skilled and un skilled labours.
Following are few trade sectors which get business because of Ganesh Festival:
- Mud (Shadu maati) or POP (Plaster of paris) sellers and idol makers (Kumbhars)
- Paint and other material shop keepers (Vaishya)
- Hardware and tools (Lohar)
- Wooden furniture, pat (base of idol) and structures (Sutar) (Adavisi wood cutters)
- Designers, Artists (Kalakaar)
- Paper and cardboard industry
- Spray and hand Painters (Rangaris)
- Small decorative handicraft pieces makers (home business for house wives)
- Skilled labours (Kushal Kamgaar varg)
- Unskilled Helpers, many of them are partially handicapped or mentally challenged (Apang)
- Loaders (Mathadi kamgaar)
- Transporters, truck, tempo, rickshaw, hathgaadi, taxi (Dalang valan)
- Retailers (Kirkol vikrete)
- Mandap and lighting contractors
Personal care, Grooming and Home Décor
- Gold & Silver Ornaments and jewellery (Sonar)
- Other jewellery, accessories, cosmetics (Patwa, Mina, Beauty parlours)
- New footwears (Chambhar)
- New clothes (Shimpi)
- Old clothes, curtains, sheets washing, ironing (Dhobi) (Parit)
- Haircut and personal care (Nhavi)
- Home renovation (Gavandi, Sutar, Rangari etc.)
- Satranji, chatai, Embroidery etc. (Winkar)
Pooja Material
- Priests (Brahman)
- Milk (Gawli) (Farmers)
- Sweets (Halwai)
- Food grains, vegetables, Fruits (Maratha, Kunbi, all Farmers)
- Oil (Teli)
- Metal utensils, Deepak, Samai, Zhanj (Kaasar)
- Homemade food (Modak) suppliers (Housewives)
- Flowers and Garlands (Mali)
- Patri, leaves of various trees (Adivasi)
- Music (Singers, Musicians, CD sellers, Musical instrument manufacturers)
- Dhol Pathak (Vadak)
- Transporters for visarjan
- Visarjan volunteers (Koli)
- Tourism (Guides, Hotels, Buses, Taxi)
- Online retailers (IT consultants, software engineers, Photographers, Graphic designers)
Written by: Neelesh Suryakant Rodge.