Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations culminate in the immersion of Ganesha idols into the sea, rivers, lakes or ponds. As most idols are made from Plaster of Paris and toxic, non-biodegradable chemical colors, the immersion ends up causing considerable harm to marine life. In a bid to reduce the environmental damage, many devotees have begun installing Ganpati idols that are both innovative and eco-friendly.
Save Marine Life By Going Eco-Friendly This Ganesh Chaturthi: The colorful and joyous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals of the country mythological and culturally. Being a cultural festival Ganesh Chaturthi brings people of a different caste, creed, and religions to come together to celebrate it.
Mumbai artist Dattadri Kothur created an eco-friendly Ganpati idol that is made from red soil and fertilizers, and contain plant seeds. At the end of the 10-day festival, the idols undergo a symbolic immersion. Instead of being immersed in a water body, the idol is placed in an accompanying pot and watered until it dissolves. Thanks to the ladyfinger or tulsi seeds are sown in the pot, the idol grows back as a plant.
When it comes to keeping this festival 'fresh', sculptors and idol makers seem to be taking things quite literally. For the last two years, giant Ganesha statues made from Mentos mint candy wrappers have been doing the rounds in Mumbai.
Mumbai-based NGO Sprouts Environmental Trust is making idols that fish can eat. The brainchild of ecologist Anand Pendharkar of the Sprouts Environmental Trust, the statues are made with clay and stuffed with fish-friendly food such as corn, spinach, wheat, and vegetable powder. The team has also reduced the size of the idols and decorated them with biodegradable, organic colors such as turmeric, Chandan and gerua.
Pune-based artist Vivek Kamble has been making alum Ganesha idols that can quickly dissolve in water. Since alum is often used for the purification of wastewater, Kamble says the statues help clean the water. The idols are designed with food colors, and weigh between 1 to 1.5 kg and are up to 10 inches tall.
There are many more ideas and ways of making eco-friendly Ganesha: Go eco friendly and save the marine flora and fauna. This shall please the Lord more than the harm we cause with the devastating pollution of water bodies.
" />Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations culminate in the immersion of Ganesha idols into the sea, rivers, lakes or ponds. As most idols are made from Plaster of Paris and toxic, non-biodegradable chemical colors, the immersion ends up causing considerable harm to marine life. In a bid to reduce the environmental damage, many devotees have begun installing Ganpati idols that are both innovative and eco-friendly.
Save Marine Life By Going Eco-Friendly This Ganesh Chaturthi: The colorful and joyous festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most important festivals of the country mythological and culturally. Being a cultural festival Ganesh Chaturthi brings people of a different caste, creed, and religions to come together to celebrate it.
Mumbai artist Dattadri Kothur created an eco-friendly Ganpati idol that is made from red soil and fertilizers, and contain plant seeds. At the end of the 10-day festival, the idols undergo a symbolic immersion. Instead of being immersed in a water body, the idol is placed in an accompanying pot and watered until it dissolves. Thanks to the ladyfinger or tulsi seeds are sown in the pot, the idol grows back as a plant.
When it comes to keeping this festival 'fresh', sculptors and idol makers seem to be taking things quite literally. For the last two years, giant Ganesha statues made from Mentos mint candy wrappers have been doing the rounds in Mumbai.
Mumbai-based NGO Sprouts Environmental Trust is making idols that fish can eat. The brainchild of ecologist Anand Pendharkar of the Sprouts Environmental Trust, the statues are made with clay and stuffed with fish-friendly food such as corn, spinach, wheat, and vegetable powder. The team has also reduced the size of the idols and decorated them with biodegradable, organic colors such as turmeric, Chandan and gerua.
Pune-based artist Vivek Kamble has been making alum Ganesha idols that can quickly dissolve in water. Since alum is often used for the purification of wastewater, Kamble says the statues help clean the water. The idols are designed with food colors, and weigh between 1 to 1.5 kg and are up to 10 inches tall.
There are many more ideas and ways of making eco-friendly Ganesha: Go eco friendly and save the marine flora and fauna. This shall please the Lord more than the harm we cause with the devastating pollution of water bodies.
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