Every year, Lord Ganesha makes his way to millions of homes across the country. Many a time, in the joy of festivity we tend to forget about the harm we do to our planet. While it is necessary to celebrate age-old customs and traditions, it is equally important to respect the planetary boundaries and ensure that the celebrations are not at a cost to the natural environment.
Every Bappa gives the same blessing, then why choose chemical, colourful & polluting Bappa? There are so many ways to show our devotion, but the one that expresses it the best is by worshipping nature.
This Ganesh Chaturthi, become an Eco-devotee and celebrate towards a better, healthier, safer, and sustainable environment by adopting the following set of sustainable practices.
• Opt for an eco-friendly idol made from organic material and coloured with natural colours.
• One can even go an extra mile by placing a permanent metal idol and worshipping the same every year.
• There are seed idols in the market that will transform Ganesh Murti into a tree.
• There are even idols made of fish food, which when immersed in water, feeds hundreds of fishes in the lake.
• Avoid using decorations made of single-use plastic and thermocol.
• On the day of Visarjan, immerse the idol in the tub, bucket or artificial tanks.
• The nirmalya should be put in Nirmalya Kalash or it may be converted to compost at home.
• Keep electricity consumption to a minimum.
• Keep noise levels as low as possible.
• Donate the extra food.
• Follow the rules & regulations as laid down by the local authority.
• Take some social awareness or upliftment programs like blood donation, vaccination, clean-up etc.
• Once you have understood the importance of Eco-Friendly celebrations, recommend the same to your friends and relatives.
This Ganeshotsava, celebrate the friendliest of gods the eco-friendly way by becoming a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.
Finally, Wishing you a very Happy and Eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi!