Celebrating, the green way

With Ganesh Utsav just around the corner, The Guide offers you tips on how to make your own eco-friendly idol and where to shop for such idols

Celebrating, the green way

Each year, thousands of Punekaris bring in idols to celebrate Ganesh Utsav. If the idols are made from non-biodegradable materials, then it can harm the environment.

Eco-friendly Ganapati idol in the city

This year, we suggest you go eco-conscious and learn to say no to idols and decorations that use thermocol, chemicals, plastic, or plaster of paris, which pollute the environment and endanger the water bodies.

Instead we suggest you opt for natural, biodegradable idols made from clay or papier mache. Besides, an eco-friendly idol looks equally elegant and beautiful and once immersed, they dissolve and do not pollute the environment. Read on to find out where to buy eco-friendly Ganesha idols or how to make your own idol at home. u00a0

Make your own eco-Ganesha
Materials required
>>u00a0Shaadu, which is readily available in shops, especially in those which sell raw materials for Ganesh idols.
>>u00a0Vessels to make clay from dry mud.
>>u00a0Taklon brushes for colouring the idol.
>>u00a0Fork or toothpick for carving the idol.
>>u00a0Natural or water-based colours, turmeric, multani mitti and geru.
>>u00a0Newspapers to spread on the floor before you start working.

Eco-friendly Ganapati idol at Shivaji Nagar. Pics/ Sachin Thakare

Process
>>u00a0Make two balls of clay; use the larger ball to form the body and the smaller one to craft the head.
>>u00a0Make two long coils (snake-like); one of the coils can be for the hands while the other can be for the legs which should be a little thicker.
>>u00a0Place one ball upon the other and merge the ends that touch each other. Attach the legs and merge them properly into the body.
>>u00a0Add the hands to the upper body and merge.
>>u00a0Add another long coil to form the trunk.
>>u00a0You can flatten the free ends of the hands and legs to form the palm and feet.
>>u00a0Make small balls and flatten them to form ears and attach them to the sides of the head.
>>u00a0Take a cotton bud and dip in water and try to smoothen out the clay all over. Do not use too much water. Do it smoothly and gently with care, so that you don’t spoil the structure.
>>u00a0Add two little coils for the tusks. Make impressions on the ears with the help of a fork, while a toothpick can be used to mark the fingers, eyes and toes.
>>u00a0Make ornaments and crown using foil or clay.
>>u00a0Leave the idol to dry in a cool place away from sunlight lest it cause cracks. The idol takes a day or two to dry, depending on its size.
>>u00a0After drying, you can add tilak, the eyes and eyebrows. Use water colours to paint the idol. You can create natural blue from indigo plant, yellow from turmeric or marigold, orange/red from brick powder or marigold, brown from katha, black from charcoal, violet from jamun and gold from mica.
>> You can also make smaller idols from vegetables like pumpkin. You can design Ganeshas using Rangoli or flowers. Use biodegradable colours such as turmeric, henna, coloured dal and gulaal to make rangoli.