As preparations for Ganesh Chaturthi gather momentum across the country, popular actor Bhagyashree, widely known for her iconic role in 'Maine Pyar Kiya', has shared an important environmental message with her followers and citizens. Taking to social media, the actor issued a passionate plea advocating for sustainable celebrations that respect traditional customs while safeguarding natural ecosystems. She urged devotees to welcome eco-friendly idols into their homes this year, ensuring that festive joy does not come at the cost of environmental harm.
The Environmental Toll of Plaster of Paris Idols
Highlighting the ongoing ecological damage caused by conventional festive practices, Bhagyashree shared a post on her Instagram account expressing deep concern over current trends. She pointed out that approximately 90 percent of households still purchase Lord Ganesha idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP). These non-biodegradable structures cause severe damage to local rivers, lakes, and oceans once immersed after the festivities end.
The actor stressed that while welcoming the deity is a moment of immense devotion, equal consideration must be given to the post-festival impact. Traditional immersion practices involving PoP idols release harmful chemicals, non-dissolvable materials, and synthetic paints, leaving water bodies heavily polluted and disturbing aquatic life. She urged citizens to ensure that water and soil remain uncontaminated during and after the festival.
Gomaye Ganesha: A Sustainable Solution for Home Visarjan
Offering a practical alternative to tackle water pollution, Bhagyashree introduced her followers to the concept of 'Gomaye Ganesha' idols. These eco-friendly sculptures are crafted using cow dung combined with natural clay. Unlike PoP idols that take months or years to break down, Gomaye Ganesha idols dissolve completely in water within a very short period without releasing toxic chemicals.
One of the main advantages highlighted by the actor is that these idols do not require immersion in public water bodies like rivers or lakes. Instead, families can perform the immersion ritual directly at home by placing the idol in a flowerpot or garden planter and pouring water over it. This approach avoids crowded riverbanks while keeping the ritual meaningful and clean.
Converting Devotion into Organic Plant Nutrition
Elaborating on the cultural and practical significance of cow dung idols, Bhagyashree explained that Indian tradition holds the cow in high reverence, valuing everything derived from it for its natural benefits. When a Gomaye Ganesha idol is immersed at home in a planter, it dissolves into the soil and turns into nutrient-rich organic manure.
Instead of polluting natural water resources, the idol transforms into natural fertilizer that nourishes garden plants. Social media users and Ganesha devotees have warmly received her message, praising the thoughtful initiative and expressing their commitment to adopting eco-friendly Ganesha idols for upcoming celebrations.
