Go Green for Ganesh Festival and minimize the impact on environment
Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the major festivals of in states like Maharashtra and in fact, it is celebrated with great enthusiasm in many other parts of the country too. Every year marking the birthday of lord Ganesha, Ganeshotsav or the Ganesh festival is carried out where people purchase the clay or metal made deities of Lord Ganesha to put in their homes and worship for 3, 5, 7 or 10 days. On the last day, the statues are magnificently carried and immersed in a river or sea marking the farewell of God for the year.
The festival is being celebrated since the reign of Shivaji, the great Maratha emperor. Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India with great enthusiasm. But over the decades, the festival celebrations have been a major environmental concern.
Major Impact on Environment
- Extreme amount of water pollution due to the immersion of deities made of plaster or paris and chemical paints in to the natural water bodies.
- Non-biodegradable waste generated by using the accessories on the idols and during worshipping.
- Heavy Noise pollution due to the increased dance and song celebrations.
Due to the decade old tradition of immersion of deities in the natural water bodies, according to a research study, the acid levels in the water have risen to an alarming extent and also the levels of iron, copper and lead content. This definitely is not a good after effect of such a majestic and grand celebration.
The Awareness
By caring a bit about the environment, the grandeur of the Ganesh Chaturthi festival won’t be diminished. The sound, dance and celebrations are an integral part of the festival but the ear-splitting decibels is unnecessary.
Similarly, instead of buying the chemically painted and POP made Ganesha Idols, worship the lord by bringing home the natural clay and eco-friendly idols that add to the happiness of your worship.
How to celebrate a Green and environment friendly Ganesh Chaturthi?
- Eco-friendly ganesh idols: Buy deities made with only natural clay with less or almost no chemicals.
- Decrease on noisy crackers:The festival marks huge celebrations with the help of noisy crackers that add up to a huge level of noise pollution. Decrease on noisy crackers may further help in having a safer and calmer Ganeshotsav.
- Avoid non-bio degradable materials: Avoiding the use of non-bio degradable materials such as thermocol which is extensively used during this festival.
- Say No to Plastic: Plastic is also extensively used during the festival that further aids in polluting our environment. Say no to plastic and instead use degradable options during the festival.
- Create an artificial pond: Immersing the deities is a ritual, so why not immerse them in the artificial pond or water tank created by the government instead of the natural water bodies. You can also use idols made of stone and brass and symbolically immerse them.
The Ganesh Chaturthi festival has grandeur unmatched. The devotion, celebrations and the spirit is unparalled. An increase in enthusiasm is witnessed every year in the festival. But the aftermath of the Ganesh festival is a matter of great concern. This is our environment, the source of our very existence. Polluting it in the name of festivals is not something mother nature would be proud of.
Let’s ensure that this Ganesh Festival, our celebrations do not harm the environment, and the poor water bodies, who bear the brunt of the toxic chemicals by losing their life, when we immerse these deities in the water. Ganesh Festival in 2014 falls on August 29, 2014.
