Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols · And a Free Silver Bappa
Nobody abroad has a river to walk to, and most lakes have a sign forbidding it. That is the practical reason eco-friendly idols matter here, quite apart from the environmental one.
What makes an idol eco-friendly
Shadu mati clay with natural colours dissolves fully in water within a few hours. Plantable idols hold seeds in the clay, so after visarjan the whole thing goes into a pot and grows. Neither leaves anything behind. A plaster of Paris idol with chemical paint does not dissolve, and the paint carries heavy metals, which is why the movement started in India in the first place.
Doing visarjan without a river
A clay idol goes into a large bucket or tub at home, dissolves over a few hours, and the water goes into a plant or a garden bed. This is lawful everywhere, and closer to the original practice than a painted idol in a public lake ever was. Full method here.
The one that does not go in the water
Every Desify order this season includes a German silver Ganesh, thirty dollars in value. He is not for immersion. He goes on the shelf and comes out every year, which for a family a long way from home turns into its own small tradition. It arrives in the same box as the naivedyam.
Questions people ask
Where can I buy an eco-friendly Ganesh idol in the USA?
Shadu clay and plantable seed idols are sold by several India-based sellers who ship to the USA. Desify includes a reusable German silver Ganesh, thirty dollars in value, free with every order this season.
What is an eco-friendly Ganesh idol made of?
Shadu mati clay with natural colours, which dissolves completely in water in a few hours. Plantable idols contain seeds so the clay can go into a pot afterwards. Neither pollutes the way plaster of Paris and chemical paint do.
Can I do visarjan at home with a clay idol?
Yes, and it is the recommended method abroad. A large bucket or vessel of water dissolves a clay idol in a few hours, and the water then goes into a plant.