Eco-friendly Ganapati was a time-tested tradition in Goa

In Goa, there used to be a well-established tradition of worshipping Ganapati in an eco-friendly way, which has now been threatened by the massive use of Plaster of Paris idols.

As per Indian mythology, Ganapati has been considered the son of Mother Earth goddess, Parvati, and hence, the tradition of worshipping Ganapati with clay idols was deeply rooted and appreciated for a long time. However, the replacement of clay idols by idols made of Plaster of Paris and painted with attractive synthetic colours has become a serious environmental problem, thereby polluting water and posing a serious threat to ecology and wildlife.

TAKING THE ECO-FRIENDLY ROUTE

In Goa, the families of Vaidya Naik from Vaze, Shiroda, have been involved in worshipping wooden idols of Ganapati for over four decades. Every year, the wooden idols are simply painted by the Lala Chari family and are then worshipped. After the celebrations, instead of being immersed, these idols are kept intact for the following year's celebration.

In Usgao, the families of Prabhu and Desai jointly celebrate the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi in a specially built shrine for five days at Gaonkarwada. Tanaji Shet, an artisan from Usgao, provides them with an idol made from papier-mâché.

Every year, these Prabhu and Desai families collectively and joyfully worship a Ganapati idol made from papier-mâché. They prefer to continue this tradition by consolidating the spirit of fraternity that they have inherited from their ancestors.

COLOUR STORY

There is a need to take the initiative of painting clay idols of Ganapati with natural colours obtained from turmeric powder, neem leaves, and ingredients from clay. The colours used for painting clay or Plaster of Paris idols are mostly synthetic, petroleum-based dyes. After immersion in water, these colours end up polluting water bodies and pose a serious threat to the environment and ecology of the area. There is an urgent need to take a pledge to worship clay idols painted with natural colours.

Suryakant Gaonkar from Bhuipal-Sattari has been instrumental in providing natural dyes for painting clay idols and is ready to help those who aim to discourage the use of harmful synthetic colours.

Actually, worshipping Ganapati in an eco-friendly way is the need of the hour, by curtailing water, air, and noise pollution. This year, the Goa State Biodiversity Board has undertaken a special drive to provide artisans with the necessary skills and training to promote eco-friendly Ganapati idols made from locally available clay and cow dung and painted with organic colours.

Every year, after the immersion of Ganapati idols in Goa, most of the water bodies are found overburdened with suspended Plaster of Paris idols and solid waste material. We have to follow eco-friendly ways to celebrate our festivals, refraining from activities that will contribute to air, water, soil, and sound pollution.

The author is an environmentalist working for the protection and conservation of wildlife in Goa and border areas.