During the vibrant Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, is experiencing a rise in the popularity of eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idols. This year, there is a significant focus on promoting idols made from cow dung to enhance awareness about environmental conservation.
Local resident Kavita Gupta expressed her dedication to using eco-friendly idols, stating, “I choose an eco-friendly Lord Ganesha idol every year to avoid harming nature. These idols, made from cow dung, do not pollute water during immersion. Instead, they can be used in our pots to grow healthy plants. I encourage others to opt for these environmentally friendly idols over those made from Plaster of Paris, as they benefit both us and the environment.”
The response to these sustainable options has been steadily increasing. A vendor from Chowk Bazar shared, “We have been selling these eco-friendly idols for the past four years and are seeing growing interest as people become more environmentally conscious.”
Another vendor highlighted that these idols, composed of 90% cow dung and 5% wood bark powder, are entirely free of harmful chemicals. When immersed at home, they can be used as manure for plants, causing no harm to nature.
This shift towards sustainable idols exemplifies a broader effort to merge tradition with environmental responsibility during the festival.
