Vijayawada’s 72-foot eco-friendly Ganesh will be washed away where it sits on September 24
A massive 72-foot eco-friendly Ganesh idol in Vijayawada will be dissolved on-site using fire tenders on September 24. The idol, constructed from natural materials, serves as a major festival attraction and will conclude with a public auction and immersion ceremony.
Why it matters
The event highlights the intersection of traditional religious festivals and modern eco-friendly practices in urban India.
The 72-foot Ganesh idol at Sitara Grounds in Vijayawada will never make the journey to a river. It was built on the spot in 60 days, and on September 24, the last day of the Ganesh Utsavams, fire tenders will spray it with water until it dissolves where it stands.
The Sri Panchamukha Varasiddi Maha Ganapathi idol, installed at Sitara Centre near Vidyadharapuram, has become one of the main attractions of the festival in the city.
Made of clay and natural colours, it is one of the tallest in the world, according to the 11-member Doondi Ganesh Seva Samithi, which has been offering special pujas.
“About 200 people from Odisha, West Bengal, Rajasthan and other States made the eco-friendly Ganesha. The idol was made of jute, coir, cloth and clay in 60 days in Sitara Grounds, where the immersion will be performed,” said Samithi member D. Subba Rao.
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