Embrace an eco-friendly approach this Ganesh Utsav, creating a favorable outcome for the environment in the process!
In the spirit of new beginnings and the removal of obstacles, Hindus worldwide, especially in Maharashtra, India, are celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi this year with a renewed focus on sustainability and safety. Traditionally celebrated with great devotion and delight, the festival is now commemorated with a heightened sense of responsibility towards the environment and community health.
The festival, which lasts for ten days and includes four major rites, has been a source of concern due to the excessive use of plastics, chemicals, and non-biodegradable materials during celebrations. This year, devotees are opting for eco-friendly alternatives to reduce waste and protect water sources.
One of the key recommendations is the use of clay or plantable Ganesh idols instead of plaster of Paris or chemical-based ones. These natural idols dissolve easily and do not pollute water bodies during immersion. Additionally, natural and biodegradable decorations such as jute fabric, dried flowers, banana leaves, and handmade paper art are being preferred over plastic, thermocol, and synthetic materials.
Marigold, jasmine, or rose flowers are being used for decoration, and organic cotton or khadi fabric drapes are being used for pooja items. Biodegradable lanterns are being suspended for evening aarti lighting. Eco-friendly pooja kits consisting of natural dyes, organic rangoli colors, and eco-friendly diyas are also being used.
Brass Ganesh idols are another eco-friendly alternative as they are reusable and reduce waste. Competitions are being held between idol maker artists for creating more creatively and innovative eco-friendly idols of Lord Ganesh.
To comply with social distancing, small gatherings or virtual celebrations are being encouraged. Personal protective equipment such as masks and hand sanitizers are being used frequently while preparing and during the rituals. Idols, decorations, and pooja items are being sanitized before and after use to reduce viral transmission.
If immersions are allowed, devotees are following government guidelines strictly. Alternatively, opting for symbolic home immersions in buckets or tanks with eco-friendly idols is being promoted to avoid public gatherings.
By adopting eco-conscious choices and following COVID-19 safety practices, devotees can celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi meaningfully while protecting both the environment and community health. This approach not only honors Lord Ganesha but also respects the planet and public safety concerns in the pandemic era.
In a commendable move, prizes are being distributed to communities that promote eco-friendly ways of celebrating festivals, encouraging others to do the same. This year's Ganesh Chaturthi is a testament to the power of collective action in preserving our environment and ensuring community health during challenging times.
[1] Eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi: Tips for a Sustainable Celebration (2021). [online] Available at: https://www.thebetterindia.com/197626/eco-friendly-ganesh-chaturthi-tips-sustainable-celebration/
[3] Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrating Eco-Friendly (2021). [online] Available at: https://www.thebetterindia.com/226226/ganesh-chaturthi-eco-friendly-celebration-2021-sustainable-practices/
- To honor Lord Ganesha during Ganesh Chaturthi, devotees are focusing on sustainable practices by using clay or plantable Ganesh idols and opting for natural and biodegradable decorations.
- In a bid to reduce waste and protect water sources, Indian devotees are preferring eco-friendly alternatives like organic cotton, khadi fabric, marigold, jasmine, rose flowers, biodegradable lanterns, and eco-friendly pooja kits.
- In addition to environmental concerns, safety during the pandemic is also being addressed, with frequent use of personal protective equipment, sanitization of idols, decorations, and pooja items, and small gatherings or virtual celebrations being encouraged.
- Reminiscent of the festival's influential power, communities that promote eco-friendly ways of celebrating festivals are being rewarded, spurring others towards sustainable living.
- With a renewed focus on sustainability and safety, this year's Ganesh Chaturthi is a shining example of collective action in preserving the environment, promoting environmental science, and ensuring the health and safety of the community in the face of climate change and a global pandemic.
