Going the eco-friendly route has been my endeavour for the last few years. I will say I have just begun nonetheless, it’s my resolution to give my best effort.
Nature always gives us 200%, it’s time we realize the love and care it gives us and value it. This Ganesh festival I decided to take a bigger step to go completely green, it has been on my mind for the last 2-3 years however due to some reason I wasn’t able to do it. Better late than Never!
We booked our Tree Ganesha on 20th June, pretty early. That gave us a boost by taking the first step. For the decoration, I wanted to nestle my Gannu Bappa in his home – the Kailash Parvat. I kept on thinking about all the eco-friendly stuff as I did not want to use anything which can’t be recycled/reused/reduced into nature. I have had some sleepless nights in my research, not to forget some high-stress levels too. ๐
The decoration process began by using the cardboard boxes received from online stuff brought. I had been collecting it for the last 2-3 months. I removed all the plastic tapes and used paper tapes instead. Newspapers were being used as the fillers. The base was a cardboard paper. And the first by-product looked something like this.ย
Next, we starched an old dhoti using rice powder and kept it on the hill structure we had prepared. We took a strainer and used shadu powder (grey effect), hibiscus powder (red effect) and Indigo powder (green effect). After drying it gave a natural mountain look and our Kailash Parvat was ready giving a natural demeanor with minimal stuff.ย
I had a terracotta plate which has been used to give a pond effect. I used Blue tea for the blue coloured water instead of using some colour. Tree Ganesha came in a packaging which had paper shreds which we reused as a base. Everything was covered with paper tape. Hisbiscus powder was used to give the earth appearance along with Indigo powder for the green natural look. Trees were made from cardboard using the same powders and paper flowers. Smaller plants were paper cutouts. Natural flowers were used for decorating the Moorti. For the background, we used cloth which was used which gave a sky type of expression.ย
The Final Decoration looked something like this –ย
The entrance was decorated using Urli and flowers.ย
The Moorti Sthapana.
Visarjan took place at home the next day. When I saw my Gannu Bappa turning back into earth I had a lot of emotions. The breaking of parts of Bappa in front of my eyes put forth some questions –
โ When we use POP Moortis we do the visarjan and forget about it, have you wondered what is the impact it has on the environment?
โ The Moorti pieces which come ashore you throw it and treat it badly, the Moorti in front of which we prayed for 11 days, aren’t we hypocrites?
โ We spend so much money on decoration again to create a waste which will harm nature, is it right?
We all read and forget about it. Spend some time at the Visarjan place, see what happens next maybe you will see the reality.ย
Ganpati is the time to be with God and spend time with him. Introspect what are we doing in the garb of a festival.ย
Let’s create a healthy and safe environment for us and our future generations. Let’s take some steps to bring change and protect our environment.ย
Let’s BE the CHANGE!
Good thought and a nice change. Going completely green is a good step.
Thanks for the motivation ๐
This is a model example of how each citizen should be. Good work!
Thanks for the motivation ๐
Such a lovely thought. It is time that we change.I always used to wonder why people treat ganeshji so badly on the 11th day. I mean after worshipping him for 11 days they just dump โฆ literally dump him in the sea or river without caring about what happens next. Great initiative taken by you and you also went to the extent of making his hill and other decorations eco-friendly. I guess to bring about a change we should be the change we want to see. Kudos once again! #MyFriendAlexa #ShubhraReads
Thanks for the motivation, means a lot to me to work better in this direction. ๐
Wow! Loved your idea of decoration and its true, there are so many things at home that can be recycled and reused to make something so amazing. Your going green will inspire many others to take similar steps.
Thanks Rashi for the kind words ๐. Hoping we together work in the direction of going green.
It’s high time since we thought of ecofriendly rites and rituals.
Thanks for the motivation ๐
Its been some time now that we humans are making conscience efforts to go environment friendly in whichever way possible. Lets keep that momentum going.
True that ๐
Wow! great idea of going green this Ganesh Chaturthi. You are celebrating it in echo friendly manner that will really motivate many. Good step which needs 1000 claps ๐
Thanks for the motivation dear
Thanks for the motivation dear ๐
Lord Ganesha nestling between the Kailash parvati looks really beautiful. And tha fact everything has been made using eco-friendly means makes it remarkable.
Thanks so much ๐
Loved your idea of celebrating Green Ganesh Chaturthi. The decoration is brilliantly done and pictures are fabulous ๐
#MyFriendAlexa
#AditiReads
aditikapur.com
Thanks Aditi for your kind words ๐
Lovely post on Eco Ganesha, it’s the need of the hour to understand the conservation of nature
Awesome pictures and very creatively done decor.
and what a coincidence I too have posted similar post – #PraGunReads #MyFriendAlexa #blogchatter
#PraGunReads #MyFriendAlexa #blogchatter
That’s great I will check it out. Together we can create some awareness ๐๐
good suggestions to stay environmentally conscious
Thanks ๐
A truly revolutionary idea. I wish everyone could adopt this one so that the environmental damage could be limited!
Thanks for the encouragement ๐
I strongly believe in eco friendly Ganpati. Tree Ganesha is the best example for eco-friendly Ganpati. Other eco-friendly Ganpati ideas i loved were Chocolate ganpati which is used to feed Choclate milk to many hungry kids.
Yes that’s a great idea too. ๐
Very very good thought dear.. Ganpati Pooja is taking up here in north india as well now. And tis time I met lot of ec friendly ganpati ji
Thanks. Good to know that more people are going the eco-friendly route. ๐
This is so fantastic Manisha! We all must do our bit to save the environment and this is a fabulous way to incorporate it in to festivities.
Thanks Noor, yes it’s a small effort and hope to carry this forward. ๐
Very innovative idea, of making Ganpati festival purely eco friendly, this post is awaken post for those who completely ignore the safety and purity of environment in the passion of celebration.
Thanks it’s a small step in the direction, glad you liked the post. ๐๐
Great! You have indeed walked the talk. Cheers to you!
Thanks ๐
Love your idea, purpose and effort to have eco-friendly Ganesha. We need more people in this awareness and create an impact.
Thanks for your kind words ๐
Loved your idea! if only everyone could be so aware.. you took a lot of effort to make the eco friendly ganpati ji ! hats off to u !
Yes, we all need to take our baby steps before it’s too late.๐
time to change, it is must now, eco friendly ganesha is great idea and I love your ideas,tips
Thanks a lot ๐
Manisha I am so happy to know that you got eco friendly Ganpati at home …looks so beautiful and just loved the dรฉcor!!
Thanks Ruchie for your kind words ๐
A very relevant post. Hope more and more people adopt eco friendly ways to celebrate festivals, the way you have done. Rightfully, lets be the change.
True, our small efforts can bring a lot of change.
Wow! I loved how you explained each process and how everything turned out beautiful. ๐
Thanks ๐
This is commendable step that you took
Thanks ๐
Hi, must compliment you on the commendable effort you put in to ensure a green ganesh chaturthi. seeing the results (the pics), i think it was worth the effort. definitely, each one of us need to give our bit towards protecting the planet inhabited by us only. good food for thoughts towards the end of your post. the sooner we start reflecting, the better it would be for all of us.
Yes that was my intention, hoping I am able to spread some awareness on eco-friendly measures.
That’s a very positive step indeed. More people should follow in your footsteps. So happy and proud of you, Manisha. You’re an inspiration to many.
Thanks for your kind words ๐
Do keep saving the environment, one eco-friendly Ganesh idol at a time. ๐
Sure ๐
So happy to see that you tried a eco-friendly Ganpati which includes even the decoration.So love the idea of making the hills with a starched dhoti. Kudos to you and your family.
Thanks so much ๐
Inspiring to read. I hope everyone follows this. Going back to my grandmotherโs day, this is how they lived, so close to Nature and God
This is what I love about some bloggers who also think about sustainable lifestyle solutions than just posting about random anything. Loved your thoughts on making an eco friendly Ganesha
Going green is the best thing one can do for the environment and I love this positive change that you have bought a new homes and eventually in the society
woow it’s a wonderful idea for decoration!
Ecofriendly is the new norm, such lovely decor and great ise
What a wonderful and creative idea for the decoration! And itโs so good to see the increase in eco friendly Ganeshas!!
Kitna accha socha aur usko fulfill bhi kiya ๐๐
Decoration bahut lajawab dikh rahi hai, aap logo ka pyaar n dedication hai isme
Sabki yehi soch ho jaye to kitna accha ho, bas isi tarah ek se ek motivate hotey rahengey
Ganpati Bappa Moriya ๐๐๐๐๐
What a beautiful thing to do. Little drops of water make the mighty ocean ๐
Oh! Manisha, such a wonderful thought and thing to do. We all talk and plan of doing our bit, but you have taken that most crucial step and nailed it. Love the decoration and all the snippets you shared. Bappa Morya. #gleefulposts #MyFriendAlexa
Thanks Dee ๐๐
going green is good way to save environment
Wow!! This is so AMAZING! I completely agree with you, WE need to be the change and practice it at home. Infact, my family also went green this year and I realised that we are placing some great values in our children through these actions. Well done Mahek! Kudos to you and your family! Keep writing such informative posts. #MyFriendAlexa #DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter