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Go Green This Ganesh Chaturthi With Eco-Friendly Idols
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By
Claysphere - Posted on
- Inspiration
“Amidst the escalating environmental pollution and the global warming weighing our lives down, the Ganesh Chaturthi is something we can look forward to celebrate with enthusiasm. Like any other festival celebrated in India, Ganesh Chaturthi too calls for a host of activities right from making and decorating Ganesha idols and pandhals; preparing sweet modaks to immersing the deity in water.”
Without compromising on the splendour and pomp of the ceremony and concurrently safeguarding the environment, there are umpteen ways left for us to celebrate this Ganesh Chaturthi. Let’s have a look at some of the ways to rejoice the moment in an eco-conscious manner.
We have a moral obligation to give an explanation to the nature for the ruinous effects we have unleashed as part of our previous celebrations. Therefore, as responsible human beings, it is imperative to think of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in a much more eco-friendly and sustainable manner this year.
1.Biodegradable Ganesha idols
Instead of availing the market made Ganesha idols which are either built of plaster of paris, thermocol, plastic or other non-biodegradable harmful chemical substances, why not create one’s own idols at home. Clay or terracotta Ganesha idols made in the austerity of home certainly carries the traditional element and add up to our satisfaction. They dissolve easily in the water without releasing any pollutants.
Temple Idol Moulds for creating the figurines are available on various e-commerce portals. I preferred to buy the Silicone Ganesha idol moulds from the Temple mould collection of Claysphere.com which proved to be the best for DIY craft molds and handmade collectibles. My personal favourite was the Nadaprathishta model Ganesha mould amongst the all. Owing to the quality of the mould, it was no surprise my Ganesha idol came out beautifully with all the intricate details etched on it. Here’s one such clay Ganesha idol uniquely made at home using the mould.
2. Plantable Ganesha or Green Ganesha
Ganesha idols embedded with seeds are one of the potent ways to contribute something to the nature as part of our celebration. Idols implanted with seeds like Tulsiseeds (Holy Basil) mixed with natural fertilizers, soil and clay can be immersed in a pot with water until it dissolves, which later grows into a plant. It would be an absolute joy to watch the Ganesha idol coming to life, which stands very much close to the symbolic journey of the Lord Ganesha celebrated in the name of Ganesh Chaturthi.
3. Natural colours and natural flowers for decoration
Rangoli colours and plastic flowers sold in the market which are widely used for the decorative purpose contains several toxic elements. They are perilously detrimental to the whole ecological system and do .not undergo natural decomposition. These elements on reaching the soil, air and water bodies unquestionably wreak havoc on flora and fauna. It is always ideal to use locally available natural flowers and natural colours like turmeric, henna, natural dyes from vegetables, leaves and flowers for decorative purpose.
4. Energy-efficient lighting
Using earthen lamps (diyas) is a responsible and eco-friendly option to light up the whole space. CFL tubes and LED diyas are certainly an alternate source to save energy and also illuminate the event with its festive charm.
5. Say a big NO to plastic
Every household and community can make the socially committed decision of going plastic-free for the upcoming Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. Right from using plastic idols, plastic flowers and plastic bags to plastic plates meant for serving Prasad should be discouraged. Offerings and Prasad can be served in natural plates like banana leaves. It would be appreciable if there is a community compost pit built for all to dispose of the bio-degradable wastes like flowers, garlands often called Nirmalya, after the celebration. This compost can be used as bio-fertilizer in the home gardens.
6. Less noise and more poise
Loudspeakers installed at every nook and corner of the streets can be avoided as it undoubtedly affects the animals and birds in the vicinity and the elderly, small children and physically ill patients. Low sound instruments can be played abiding by the time regulations. Bursting firecrackers is to be avoided as it will pose both environmental and health hazards by emitting poisonous fumes and dust.
7. Mud tanks for symbolic immersion
What begins well ends well! If we have created our own eco-friendly Ganesha idols at home, then it must be ensured that the deity is immersed in an eco-friendly way too. The conventional method of immersing numerous huge Ganesha idols into rivers and sea has only vented out a menace to the nature. It is suggestive to limit the number of Pandhals and idols to one per community. It becomes an event of collective celebration where everyone from the community and neighbourhood can involve in all the activities together till the end of immersion. A mud tank can be built at the community level to conduct the Visarjjan of the idol. At the household level, having a clay pot or a bucket would cater to the need of symbolic immersion.
Once the natural colours on the idols are washed off and the clay dissolves. What remains is the clean clay which can be kept in store for the next year Ganesh Chaturthi. The fascinating part is that with just one mould and clay there can be made any number of perfect eco-friendly Ganesha idols at home for the years to come. What better way to go eco-friendly other than adopting the three R – Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.
All the above sustainable and eco-friendly practices if put to action will bring about colossal positives changes in the environment. India does have the mighty cultural heritage of worshipping nature as God. Now it is our turn to get back to our roots and start paying homage to the nature which shelters us. Let this Ganesh Chaturthi mark the beginning to a wave of great change in our perspective and consciousness towards the environment we live in. Enjoy Ganesh Chaturthi responsibly and reverently.
Remember, even Lord Ganesha might love to go green!!!
