In Karnataka’s Koppalu, 100 School Students Make Eco-friendly Ganesh Idols

Shri Durga Foundation organised a camp for government high school students at Koppalu, Manchegowda, Karnataka, where more than 100 children participated in creating eco-friendly Jiva Ganesha idols from clay. The children joyfully crafted their own unique Ganpati idols, placing a seed inside it before taking them home. The school teacher shared the importance of using clay Ganpati idols for worship instead of those made from harmful materials like POP (Plaster of Paris). Artist R Lakshi Chalapati highlighted that true worship comes from devotion, not from showy displays. He stressed that Ganesha idols made with toxic chemicals harm the environment and contribute to water pollution. He also mentioned that other living organisms are negatively impacted as well. Chalapati encouraged educating children on the significance of celebrating Ganeshotsava in an eco-friendly manner, using small idols made of pure clay.

The Vinayaka Chaturthi or the Ganesh Chaturthi festival is just around the corner. Devotees across the country are busy with preparations for the auspicious days. In Andhra Pradesh, Ganesh idols made of clay are increasingly getting popular among the devotees, amidst concerns over environmental safety. In the West Godavari district, the clay-made Ganesh idols are being preferred by the devotees, with traders availing it for buying. As per the reports of Local18, the environmentalists have raised concerns over chemical-made Ganesha idols, which could pose a risk to the environment. This has created an awareness among the people and they have decided to switch to clay Ganesha idols.

This year, the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations will begin on September 7, 2024. Do you know that in the Dakshina Kannada district, there is a tradition that before Ganesha Chaturthi, the devotees participate in the celebration of the festival after taking a Tirtha bath in the water flowing from the groundwater?

According to reports, the people of the coastal areas, who believe in nature as god, have associated their rituals with nature. Even on the occasion of Ganesha Chaturthi, there is a tradition of engaging in the festival of Ganesha only after worshipping nature.