Ganesh idols that grow after immersion
An NGO in Coimbatore is promoting eco-friendly 'seed Ganesha' idols made of clay and vegetable seeds. Once submerged in water, the idols dissolve and allow the seeds to sprout, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional idols.
Why it matters
This initiative addresses environmental pollution in waterbodies caused by non-biodegradable materials and chemical paints used in traditional festival idols.
When Swarajit Alakananda was passing by Flower Market around Ganesh Chaturthi in 2017, the colourful clay idols for sale by the roadside made him pause. “They looked beautiful, but I wondered if there was danger lurking behind, as the Tamil proverb goes,” recalls the 32-year-old. Swarajit has always been a Nature lover and was involved in lake clean-ups even back then. “I wondered what the idols might do to our waterbodies once they were submerged,” he says.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in