Ganesh Chaturthi to go green

Ganesha Chaturthi festival is poised to go green in the city this year as the National Environment Care Foundation (NECF) is promoting eco-friendly Ganesh with a sapling encased within.

Taking the concept of eco-friendly Ganesha to a new level, the NECF has decided to minimise pollution of water bodies and increase the green cover in the city. Under the initiative, one can procure a made-to-order clay idol of Lord Ganesha, with a sapling of devotee’s choice encased within. The NECF will supply the saplings that devotees want, if they fail to get the saplings of their choice.

NECF member Suresh S Shetty said, “People worship Lord Ganesha with utmost devotion. But many people use artificial colours and these idols pose an environmental hazard when immersed in water bodies. In olden days, the idols of Ganesha were made with only earthen clay. Over a period of time, with the use of various materials and paints resulted in polluting water bodies.”

The idols floating in water bodies is a matter of concern, he added.

“We wanted to add green touch to the celebrations and decided to enclose the idol with a sapling of a species endemic to the region, so that it could grow within the idol after the immersion,” he explained.

NECF Secretary Shashidhar Shetty said to ensure that the immersion of idol is according to the tradition, the federation has suggested that a pit of the size of the idol be dug and filled with water and idol can be immersed in it. Clay will dissolve in water and sapling inside the idol would grow, he said.

People will also take extra care to ensure that such a sapling is nurtured well, owing to the sanctity attached it. Devotees who are interested in this initiative may give a sapling of their choice to NECF office -bearers, who in turn will get the idols readied for them.

For details, those interested can contact Vinayak (9448144877), idol maker at Car Street/Suresh N Shetty on 9448007108.