Ganesh Chaturthi 2018: Parsi Family Opts For Eco-friendly Tree Ganesha

Arine Elavia (36) has been bringing eco-friendly Tree Ganesha at her residence at Captain Colony, Worli for the last two years. The festivity is looked forward to by the family since it’s the only time where all family members get together. After Arine came back from the United States of America in 2010, she started the practice of bringing the Ganesh idol at home. Speaking to the Free Press Journal, Arine said, “I used to visit Siddhivinayak since my college days. My mom visits many temples since her youth days. So I have followed her footsteps and developed a lot of faith in the Vignaharta. The worship of bringing the idol home has given me solace, peace and prosperity. I have grown a lot professionally in the last eight years. Initially, the plan was to bring the idol home for three years only, but later I felt like continuing it. When I perform the visarjan of the idol, I feel like all my problems are being washed away.”

Arine works as a Human Resources manager with the Essar group in Dubai. Since 2016, Arine has been bringing Tree Ganesha at her residence since she always felt bad about performing visarjan at the sea side, after spotting a head or a hand of the idol during visarjan at the sea almost every year.” The condition of the idols at the sea face is pathetic. It made me feel terrible. So, I switched over to the Tree Ganesha concept which is completely eco-friendly. The idol has to be placed in a tub of water for the visarjan. Since the idol is made of red soil used for growing plants, it melts overnight. The next day, one can pot a plant.”

After the visarjan on Friday evening, the Elavias planted a neem tree in their colony, the next day. The 12 inch Tree Ganesha cost Rs 3000 and is available at Lower Parel. Along with the idol, fertiliser and seeds are also provided. Last year, Arine grew an okra plant after performing the visarjan. “The okra plant grew only for a year and then it wilt away. So, we had to replace it by sowing seeds of another plant. This year, I decided to plant a neem tree.” Even if the Tree Ganesha is immersed in the sea, it is not harmful for any sea creatures. Some of the artists who have been sculpting the Tree Ganesha idols have collaborated along with Ugaoo.com which encourages people to opt for these eco-friendly idols.