Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Eco-Friendly Way

by  in Lifestyle

 ॐ गम गणपतये नमः

Ganesh Chaturthi festival calls for a lot of sweets, statues and traditional parades! Some of the practices may not be quite eco-friendly. Celebrations start with the purchase of a clay Lord Ganesha statue which eventually will be dissolved in a nearby water body. The occasion calls for a parade that transports the clay made Lord to the destination where he will be dissolved in peace. Both the dissolving of clay, and the transportation methods often prove to do more harm to nature. The clay takes time to dissolve and may destroy the homes of sea-creatures on the ocean beds. Polluting vehicles are also a huge polluting factor.

Keeping the environment and festive in mind, we aim to proffer our youth some eco-friendly ways to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi.

  1. Oragami Garlands: Instead of purchasing flower made ones or plucking flowers, paper-made origami garlands can be designed and used during Ganesha Puja! YouTube tutorial videos can help you in this.

  2. Leaf Idol: One can get creative and pin a few pressed and dried leaves to a support structure in the shape of Ganesha. After all the poojas are over, the leaves can be left to float in a water body of their choice.

  3. Mud Made: Compared to clay, mud and sand are more natural elements that quickly dissolve and settle in water without causing harm to any sea creatures and their habitats.

  4. No-vehicle Parade: The parade used to transport the Ganesha idol need not be with a polluting vehicle. Find a water body close by and choose to cycle or walk there.

Youth don’t hesitate to go eco-friendly this Ganesh Chaturthi. Ganesha is known for his wise, kind, thoughtful and gentle nature. It would be the perfect gift on his birthday! Be wise like the Lord and make educated choices for the betterment of our planet and our society.

“Keeping the Lord’s creations in mind can double your blessings.”