BELAGAVI: Imagine a Ganesha idol turning into a plant! This green inititative comes from a group of women under the banner of Women Entrepreneur Belagavi (WEB) Association.
They have launched these idols made of natural clay, in association with a Bengaluru-based organisation. These idols, instead of creating pollution after Visarjan (immersion), grow into plants.
What is interesting is that you don’t have to take the idol to any water body for immersion. It can be done at your home itself without creating any kind of pollution.
Sonia Netalkar of WEB said the height of the statue is 10 inches and the base tub about 8 inches. The total weight of the set is about 5 kg, she added.
Explaining the concept of a green Ganesha, she said the statue is placed at the base filled with organic coco peat.
She said: “Coco peat is very light, highly compressible and readily absorbs and retains moisture. All of these factors make it perfect for horticultural applications.”
Sonia said the idol is filled with Tulsi and tomato seeds. During the immersion, the devotee will just have to place the set in a gallery or terrace or garden and pour water on it.
In about three days, the idol dissolves and seven days later, one can find a sapling of tomato or tulsi grown in that same base, she said.
“As this is a novel concept, we need to spread awareness. This year we want to sell 108 idols, each costing `1,151. Already more than 60 idols have been booked,” she said.
Rasika Kadolkar of WEB said these green idols will make the festival pollution-free without diluting the spirit of the celebrations.
According to the pollution control board officials, Plaster of Paris idols may take several months to years to fully dissolve. “This material also reduces the oxygen level in the water, killing fish and other aquatic organisms,” they added.