Eco Friendly Ganesha

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most celebrated festival in India and also many part of globe. It is celebrated for the Hindu deity Lord Ganesha. Like ancient time while ensuring that no danger is caused to the environment, is to make an eco-friendly Ganesh idol in this Ganesh Chaturthi 2024. Traditional plaster of Paris and non-biodegradable material Ganesh idols can harm the environment due to immersion in water bodies. In contrast, the environment-friendly Ganesh idols are prepared with all-natural and environmentally friendly biodegradable material that does not contaminate nature. Here are ten easy and creative ways you can make an eco-friendly Ganesh idol.

1. Clay Ganesh Idol

Clay is one the most conventional yet eco-friendly substance to create Ganesh idols. It is readily available in local markets. Also, it does not pose any ill effects on the environment, as it is biodegradable and dissolves in water very quickly.

Materials Required:

• Natural clay brought from a local craft store
• Water
• Basic sculpting tools (one can also use toothpick, spoon)

Procedure:

1. Start kneading clay by adding water into it until the clay reaches its well-blended and doughy.
2. Hand-model the base and the body of Lord Ganesh. The base should be round to provide the stability.
3. Develop the body, the trunk, ears, and the limbs. Ensure everything is in proper proportion.
4. Start adding more minute details like the coiled trunk, ears, limbs, eyes, crown, and ornaments using toothpicks or modeling tools.
5. Let this idol dry in the air for at least 2-3 days depending on the size and the humidity.
6. You can either keep the idol plain or color using natural and nontoxic Colors.

2. Paper Mache Ganesh Idol

Paper mache is another one of those easy-to-do, lightweight, organic material. This technique is best for people who wish to have a sturdy but environment-friendly idol.

Things You Will Need:

• Old newspapers
• Flour or glue (for making the paste)
• Water
• Paints (natural or non-toxic)
• A basic clay or cardboard structure (optional)

Steps For The Making:

1. Tear the newspaper into small pieces and keep soaked in water overnight.
2. Paper Mache: Similarly, mix the soaked paper to a pulp with the assistance of a hand blender or by hand.
3. Take the paper pulp and mix it with wheat flour or sticky solution like gum to make a thick paste.
4. This paste is used to mold the shape of Lord Ganesh over the basic structure made up of some easily dissolvable or spongy substance, like clay or compacted paper/cardboard making the hollow idol.
5. Start pasting layer by layer of paper Mache on the basic structure to finally emerge into a body, trunk, and limbs.
6. After the complete drying of the idol, natural or nontoxic colors shall be used to paint the idol.

3. Seed Ganesh Idol

A seed Ganesh idol is not only eco-friendly but also proves to be very contributing to the greenery as it can be planted after the festival, and it grows up as a plant.

Materials Required:

• Clay or mud
• Water
• Seeds of your preference (basil, marigold, etc.)
• Sculpting tools
• Process

Steps For The Making:

1. Add the water to get the consistency of molding.
2. Mould the idol in the shape you like either with hands or with the help of modelling tools and add details of your choice.
3. Keep the shaped idol to air dry.
4. Submerge the idol after the festival in a pot containing mud and water it regularly to see the idol sprout and grow into a green plant.

4. Turmeric Ganesh Idol

Turmeric needs no introduction. It is an antiseptic of natural origin and is also considered very auspicious in all Hindu rituals. Preparation of a Ganesh idol from turmeric is thus eco-friendly and spiritually too, an important material used.

Materials Required:

• Turmeric powder
• Wheat flour or chickpea flour
• Water
• Optional: Ghee for smoother pulse

Method:

1. Mix turmeric powder with flour in equal quantities
2. Add water slowly and make dough
3. The mixture should be kneaded till it gets soft
4. With the help of your hand, you can shape the base and body of the idol.
5. Shape out the trunk and ears to the idol using some simple tools.
6. Leave the idol in cool place till it dries completely.

5. Natural Clay and Plant Paints for Ganesh Idol

If you want a colorful idol, then use plant paints on a natural clay Ganesh idol. That way, chemicals would not get to the environment during the immersion.

Things You’ll Need:

• Natural clay
• Plant- or Organic-based natural colors I.e. Turmeric, Beetroot, Spinach, etc.
• Modeling tools

Steps:

1. The method follows the same as for the clay idol.
2. Once the idol is dried, colors are applied to the idol.
3. Color can be obtained from boiling turmeric to obtain yellow color, beetroot for red color, spinach for green color, and so on.
4. Color should be applied with the help of a soft brush and must be kept exposed for drying.

6. Coconut and Betel Leaf Ganesh Idol

Another such different and natural approach towards the Ganesh idol is by using coconut and betel leaves, which both are divine in Hindu religion.

Things You Need:

• One big coconut
• Two betel leaves
• Turmeric
• Red kumkum
• Other small coconuts

How:

1. Keep the big coconut on a flat surface that is the image of the body of lord Ganesha.
2. While three small coconuts on the side to it and that indicates hands and another coconut on the top indicates as head.
3. Keep the beat leaves for ears to the both sides of the head.
4. Use turmeric and kumkum to draw eyes and other facial features.
5. Put flowers or other edible stuff for decoration.

7. Flour Dough Ganesh Idol

Another easy and safe method of preparing Ganesh idol is using flour dough. It can be done specially with kids. The making of such type of idol is completely biodegradable and easily dissolves in water.

Things To Be Used:

• Wheat flour or rice flour
• Water
• Natural colors
• Decorative items like rice grain, lentil, etc.

How To Prepare:

1. Utilize water to combine the flour to a consistency whereby it can be molded to any form or structure.
2. Prepare portions of the dough to sculpture the body, head, trunk, and limbs.
3. The portions need to be mounted separately in the preparation of the idol.
4. Natural colors will be spread on the idol or the grains and lentils can also be stuck upon the dough to ornament the idol.
5. There has to be some time allowed for the idol to dry a bit before organizing the puja.

8. Recycled Paper Ganesh Idol

This will greatly help in the reuse of materials that could have otherwise gone down the drain. Below is a simple process for making a lightweight Ganapati idol using recycled paper.

Requirement:

• Recycled paper
• Flour paste or natural glue
• Paints, preferably natural or non-toxic
• Basic mold or structure is also one of the best alternatives. In the market, there are many options available, which are disposable also. The effectiveness of such a basic structure is very effective and efficient.

Steps:

1. In the first step, newly shredded recycled paper is kept into small pieces all around.
2. The wet paper can be blended into a pulp and mixed with flour paste or glue
3. The pulp can be shaped into the idol either on a simple structure or completely out of paper pulp
4. The idol should be allowed to dry out completely
5. After the completion of the drying of the idol it can be painted with natural or non-toxic paints

9. Shadu Clay Ganesh Idol

Shadu clay is a traditional form of soft, natural clay used in Maharashtra to make Ganesh idols. It is environmentally friendly and gets dissolved in water very easily.

Material Required:

• Shadu clay
• Water
• Sculpting tools

Procedure:

1. Mix shadu clay and water to make it smooth and pliable.
2. The model should be handmade − first make the base, and which will be the body.
3. Make the trunk, ear, and ornaments using the sculpting tools.
4. Leave the idol to dry naturally for multiple days.
5. You can either leave it as it is unpainted, or you can paint using green paints and decorate your idol.

10. Fruits and Vegetables Ganesh Idol

Create an extremely unique, edible Ganesh idol using fruits and vegetables – to create a totally edible and compostable idol after the festival.

Material Need:

• A big-sized fruit either watermelon or pumpkin anything would do for the main body
• Fruits, small and big, to be used as limbs and head (like mangoes, carrots etc)
• Toothpicks or skewers
• Edible dyes (if wished)

Method:

1. While selecting the main fruit take a bigger sized one and stick other assembled fruits with the help of toothpicks and skewers.
2. Create funny shapes as in the head, body, and limbs.
3. Edible dyes can be applied forming patterns or can be carved on the fruits and vegetables.
4. The idol can be consumed or thrown into a compost after the festival

Conclusion

Not only is making an eco-friendly Ganesh idol an enjoyable craft, but it is also a meaningful method of celebration for Ganesh Chaturthi. Be it in the making of idols from clay, paper Mache, or turmeric, the ideas will safeguard the nature from getting polluted in any manner during the celebrations. Opting for an eco-friendly Ganesh idol will help you set a lifestyle example for others and make a cleaner, greener planet.

STILL!! If you can’t manage to make it yourself please check these links and celebrate festival Eco Friendly!!

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