Ditch POP, Try These Ingredients To Make Ganpati Idol

Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations culminate in the immersion of Ganesha idols into the sea, rivers, lakes or ponds. As most idols are made from Plaster of Paris and toxic, non-biodegradable chemical colours, the immersion ends up causing considerable harm to marine life. In a bid to reduce the environmental damage, many devotees have begun installing Ganpati idols that are both innovative and eco-friendly.

# Red Soil
Mumbai artist Dattadri Kothur creates eco-friendly Ganpati idols that are made from red soil and fertilisers, and contain plant seeds. At the end of the 10-day festival, the idols undergo a symbolic immersion. Instead of being immersed in a water body, the idol is placed in an accompanying pot and watered until it dissolves. Thanks to the lady finger or tulsi seeds are sown in the pot, the idol grows back as a plant.

# Mentos
When it comes to keeping this festival 'fresh', sculptors and idol makers seem to be taking things quite literally. For the last two years, giant Ganesha statues made from Mentos mint candy wrappers have been doing the rounds in Mumbai. Last year there was a very 'sweet' 6-foot Ganesha decorating a pandal in Malad

# Cowdung (Gobar)
Ganesha Several Ganpati makers have taken to substituting cow dung for clay in the interest of preserving the environment. This greener method of producing Ganesha idols, can be immersed easily in lakes, and can also act as manure for plants.

# Chocolate
Commercial designer turned baker Rintu Rathod has been adding a sweet touch to the festival with her chocolate Ganeshas. he began making chocolate Ganeshas which, upon immersion in milk, became the perfect recipe for milkshakes, much to the delight of children in different orphanages where the milkshake is then distributed.

# Sugarcane
While going green might be a new trend for many Ganpati followers, one family in Mulund has been minimising their carbon footprint during the festival for over a quarter century. the family worships a pyramid of sugarcane sticks that represents the pandal, and are distributed on the day of the immersion as prasad to friends and family members