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At the center of Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations stands the mandap, a sacred space that hosts Lord Ganesha and reflects the essence of the household.
Eco-friendly materials and smart lighting can enhance the mandap experience.
Ganesh Chaturthi is more than a festival. It’s a heartfelt ritual of welcoming wisdom, abundance, and new beginnings into the home. And at the centre of it all is the mandap: a sacred stage where devotion and design converge. In today’s modern Indian homes, where space and style are both premium, families are rethinking how to build mandaps that are reverent, beautiful, and practical.
“Today’s families want their festive spaces to reflect not just tradition, but also the personality of their homes. The modern mandap must feel sacred without feeling separate from the home’s aesthetic,” says Vaishali Shah, Design Lead – Home Storage at Interio.
Balancing Tradition with Contemporary Aesthetics
Traditional décor elements like marigolds, banana leaves, brass lamps, and terracotta diyas still hold strong emotional value. But contemporary homes are adopting subtler palettes, cleaner lines, and coordinated décor that blend with the interiors.
“The idea is to let devotion speak through design, without overwhelming the space,” Vaishali explains. Thoughtful lighting, curated accessories, and a harmonious colour scheme make the mandap feel like a natural extension of the living area.
Smart Solutions for Compact Homes
Urban living brings space constraints, and smart design is key. Modular platforms, foldable panels, and multifunctional furniture are being widely used to create setups that are easy to assemble, dismantle, and repurpose.
“In compact apartments, vertical décor like ceiling-hung garlands or fairy light drapes creates impact without consuming floor space,” says Vaishali. “It’s all about maximising joy, not just square footage.”
Details That Deepen the Experience
A well-designed mandap engages all the senses. Fresh flowers, such as marigolds, jasmine, and roses, remain favourites, while lotus-inspired or orchid arrangements add a modern twist. Eco-friendly materials and smart lighting systems allow families to shift from ritualistic ambience to celebratory mood at the touch of a button.
“Smart lights and sustainable décor give families control, creativity, and a conscience,” Vaishali notes.
Beyond the Festival: Lasting Value
Festive décor today is chosen with longevity in mind. A statement storage cabinet used during Ganesh Chaturthi might later serve as a bookshelf or display unit. Modular benches or side tables used in the mandap can be repurposed for daily use.
“Families are investing in pieces that hold both emotional and functional value long after the festival. Design today is about devotion that lasts,” says Vaishali.
The perfect mandap in 2025 isn’t just a festive fixture. It’s a reflection of how Indian families blend heritage with modern sensibilities. Through thoughtful planning, sustainable choices, and a focus on both beauty and usability, households are creating sacred spaces that are not only functional but also deeply personal.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
