Wayfair Removes Ganesh Doormat After Hindu Community Protest

BOSTON — Boston-based home retailer Wayfair appears to have removed a doormat featuring the image of the Hindu deity Lord Ganesh from its website following objections from Hindu community leaders who called the product inappropriate and disrespectful.

The doormat, which was listed for $50.99 on Wayfair’s website and described as featuring a depiction of Ganesh, was no longer found on the company’s website when searched on Sept. 3, according to the release.

Rajan Zed, president of the Universal Society of Hinduism, who led the protest, thanked Wayfair for appearing to respond to concerns raised by Hindus.

“We thank Wayfair for understanding the concerns of the Hindu community,” Zed said in a statement issued in Nevada. He also called on companies to provide religious and cultural sensitivity training to employees involved in product development and advertising.

Zed had objected to the use of Ganesh’s image on a doormat, arguing that placing the image on an item designed to be stepped on and used to remove dirt and debris from footwear was offensive to Hindu devotees.

In Hinduism, Ganesh is widely worshipped as the deity associated with wisdom and the removal of obstacles and is traditionally invoked before major undertakings. Zed said sacred Hindu images should not be used in ways that trivialize religious beliefs or practices.

The release said Hindus support artistic expression and freedom of speech but distinguished those principles from the commercial use of religious imagery.

Zed also said Hindus were awaiting an apology from Wayfair and its co-founders, Niraj Shah and Steve Conine.

Wayfair, headquartered in Boston, describes itself as a destination for home products and sells millions of items through its online marketplace. According to the release, the company reported $12.5 billion in net revenue for the 12 months ended Dec. 31, 2025.

Founded in 2002, Wayfair offers more than 40 million products and operates fulfillment and delivery facilities in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. The company also plans to open a Wayfair store in Altamonte Springs, Florida, in 2028.

The release did not include a statement from Wayfair confirming that the Ganesh doormat had been removed or explaining why the product was no longer available.