The Ganesh Chaturthi festival is celebrated in many parts of the country. The celebration begins by bringing home an idol of Lord Ganesha. Homes are decked up to welcome the deity, who is offered sweets, flowers, etc., as part of elaborate pujas. The festivities take place for 10 days, after which the idols of the deity are immersed in a river or any water body. People are increasingly becoming aware of the environmental effects of using harmful chemicals, plastic, metals, etc., and the concept of eco-friendly Ganpati is gaining wide popularity. In this article, we bring you ways to create your own eco-friendly Ganesha using easily available items.
Clay
Natural clay, found near riverbanks, can be an excellent material to design a Ganpati idol as the material merges with water without causing any environmental damage. These are good alternatives to Plaster of Paris (PoP), which are heavy and are not soluble in water.
Simply mix water with clay to make a non-sticky dough. Design different parts such as hands, face, etc. Keep the posture of the idol using a toothpick or a small stick. Now, use natural colours to paint the deity.
Paper pulp
Shred old newspapers into a paper mix and soak them in water for hours. Now, grind the material and remove the excess water. Mix around two cups of all-purpose flour (maida) in water and boil it to form a thick batter. Add lemon juice and allow the mixture to dry. Mix the blended paper mix with this batter and prepare a dough. Use this material to carve a beautiful Ganesha idol for the festival. Choose colours you prefer and adorn the deity.
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Turmeric
According to Hindu traditions, turmeric is an auspicious material and can be used for creating Ganpati idols. The materials you will need to design the idol are turmeric, wheat flour, powdered sugar and milk. Mix all these ingredients to form a soft dough and shape it to create a Ganesha idol. Go for watercolours to make the deity look attractive.
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Rice flour
Rice powder, which is easily available in kitchens, can be an eco-friendly material for making Ganpati idols at home. This is similar to creating Ganesha with clay. Start by preparing a dough and add some oil to make the dough non-sticky. For eyes, clothes and other features of the deity, use other commonly available materials such as pepper, cardamom, etc. You can use food colour or turmeric to create a colourful rice flour Ganesha at home.
Source: Pinterest
Chocolate
Another interesting and popular idea to make eco-friendly Ganesha is using chocolate. The chocolate idol can be easily made at home and worshipped. It dissolves into water to form a drink, which can be later distributed to the needy.
Source: Pinterest (BakeHoney)
Fruits
A creative way to craft a Ganpati idol is by using a variety of fruits, such as cherries, papaya, bananas, apples, etc. Take seasonal fruits and arrange them together to form a Ganpati idol. However, it is important to keep the place cool so that the fruits do not get spoilt. Alternatively, you can use dry fruits such as cashews, raisins, walnuts and almonds. The fruits can be later distributed to people.
Source: Pinterest
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