Ganesh Chaturthi Celebrations Goes Green: A Look At Eco-Friendly Ganesha Idols Made By The Artists Across India
Ganpati Bappa Morya! Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated across the country with great fervour and pomp. The festival commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha. Across India, people install Lord Ganesha's idols in their homes or pandals at local areas, followed by the send-off with a procession charged with chants, music and dance in praises of Lord Ganesha. From the past few years, the celebrations of the much awaited festival have taken a green route with artists making eco-friendly Ganesha idols. Here's a look at how India is marking the occasion this time:
Bhubaneswar-based miniature artist, L Eswar Rao, who has been crafting since past 22 years has created a pandal using matchsticks and solid clay. The miniature pandal has a 3.5 inches tall Ganesha idol and idols of goddess Saraswati and Laxmi, both heighted 3 inches. The artists had made miniature Ganesha idols in past few years using turmeric seeds as well.
The locals of Mandya, Karnataka came up with a unique eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idol. The Vikasana Institute For Rural And Urban Development Mandya and Tammayya, a resident of Haluvadi village, collaborated to make 2-feet tall idols made of jaggery. People from various districts across the state expressing keen interest in acquiring them. Some individuals are choosing to immerse these idols in milk, further contributing to the eco-conscious spirit of the celebration.
In Hyderabad, GHMC Commissioner Ronald Rose along with Mayor Gadwal Vijayalakshmi distributed clay Ganesha idols to the morning walkers at Jalagam Vengalrao Park in Banjara Hills. They distributed the idols to GHMC officials and staff as well on Saturday (September 16). The distribution of the eco-friendly Ganesha idols is to promote the festival in an environment friendly way and avoid the use of idols made of Plaster of Paris. GHMC, HMDA, and the Pollution Control Board will be distributing a total of 4.6 Lakh Ganesh Idols.