Bappa's idol: According to the scriptures, what should Bappa's idol be like on Ganesh Chaturthi?

Every year, millions of people eagerly await Ganesh Chaturthi to welcome 'Bappa'. It is one of India's most popular festivals, symbolizing the worship, devotion, and service of Lord Ganesha.

This year, Ganeshotsav will be celebrated starting Monday, September 14, 2026, and will continue for ten days.

Across India, *Ganpati pandals* (temporary marquees) are set up to mark the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, housing magnificent idols of Lord Ganesha. However, with changing times, one now sees a great deal of creativity in the depiction of these idols.

In some places, Lord Ganesha is portrayed as Mahadev (Shiva) or Narayana (Vishnu); elsewhere, he appears in the guise of sages and saints, or even with the faces of famous film characters or ordinary humans.

But have you ever wondered if a divine idol can be crafted in just any form? Is there a scriptural basis for worshipping customized idols of Lord Ganesha? Let us explore this.

Is worshipping customized idols right or wrong?