ThE-Ganesha: Lets celebrate E-friendly Ganesha

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The Environmental Impact of Ganesh Chaturthi

1. Water Pollution:

The Issue:

For some years now we have been observing a growing awareness about the water pollution caused by the immersion of Ganesh idols made out of Plaster of Paris, in natural water bodies such as lakes, rivers and the sea. PoP is not a naturally occurring material. Plaster of Paris is a calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate: (CaSO4, ½ H2O) derived from gypsum, a calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4, 2 H2O), by firing this mineral at relatively low temperature and then reducing it to powder. While idols made out of naturally occurring clay (shaadu in Marathi) dissolve within hours of immersion in water, PoP idols may take anywhere between several months to years to fully dissolve. In addition, when chemical paints are used to decorate the idols, these paints contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which seep into the water as the idol dissolves.

The Solution:

Since the main issue around water pollution has got to do with the idol immersion ritual, several people are now suggesting a slight variation of this ritual to avoid water pollution. These include:

1. Immersing the idol in a water tan constructed by the government, instead of directly into natural water bodies.
2. Using only a natural clay idol and immersing it either in the tank or in a bucket of water at home.
3. Immersing a 'betel nut’, which symbolizes the idol and reusing the same idol every year.
4. If one is using a PoP idol, simply sprinkling a few drops of water on it as a symbolic immersion and donating the idol to be recycled for the following year.

2. Appropriate Management of 'NIRMALYA':

Along with the idol, there are several accessories used during the worship, which are collectively referred to as 'nirmalya'. These include flowers, fruits, coconuts, cloth, incense, camphor etc. Further, many people create elaborate temples out of thermocole to house their idols. Until some years ago, all these were also immersed along with the idols. 

Possible solutions:

1. Avoiding the use of non-biodegradable material such as thermocole altogether.
2. Composting all biodegradable material.
3. Distributing food items such as coconuts and fruits among the poor.
4. Recycling flowers to make hand made paper or dried flower products.

5. In Pune, the municipal corporation has successfully convinced people not to immerse the 'nirmalya' into the water. Instead, they have installed large bins shaped as traditional pots or 'kalashes' to receive this nirmalya. While this is a good first step, the appropriate management of the nirmalya is still crucial considering the volumes that are collected every year.

Fact of the matter:

Do you know that photography is not allowed the next day at the beaches where immersion takes place? If you ask why then that’s because the beaches are full of desecrated idols, decaying flowers and dead fish the next day, and the Government tries its best to hide this from media and other activists.

3. Sound pollution:

Songs and dances are an integral part of the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. However, ear-splitting decibels are not just disturbing, but a major health hazard.

The new-born kids and the old people who get severely affected due to the high sound levels the fireworks produce. The effect of high noise levels on small children and old age people have been known to cause physical health damages (High heart beat rate etc) as well.

These can be summarized as shown below:

1. The water pollution caused by the immersion of Plaster of Paris idols into natural water bodies

2. The water pollution caused by chemical paints used on these idols

3. The waste generated by the non-biodegradable accessories used during the worship

4. Noise pollution

5. Traffic congestion

6. Increased consumerism

          Some Evils in the festivals:

·                                                        Extravagant decoration.

·                                                        Water polluted by immersion of plaster of Paris statues.

·                                                        Scaring decorations

·                                                        Lewd songs and vulgar dances

·                                                        Noise pollution

·                                                        Advertisements of addictive substances

·                                                        Participation of anti-social elements

·                                                        Extortion of funds

·                                                        No programs of Righteousness or Nation building

·                                                        Domination by politicians

·                                                        Gambling and drinking liquor within the ‘Pandal’

Some do’s and don’ts for celebrating environmental friendly Ganesh Chaturthi.

DO’s 1. House and decoration A. Importance to Shree Ganesh first, then secondary importance to decoration. B. Cleanliness, saatvic decoration, so also everybody should collectively prepare for pooja with devotion. 2. Idol A. Made of clay and painted with natural colours B. Seated on a platform C. Made according to the science of idols. 3. Religious rituals A. Preparation of puja after purification to maintain the sanctity. B. Everyone should remain present and experience the divine consciousness. 4. Aarti A. Selective and with devotionful aarti. B. Prayer and chanting after aarti. 5. Prasad (offering) A. Chanting while preparing prasad. B. Taking prasad in a queue peacefully. 6. Procession A. Disciplined,with chanting and concluding on time. 7. Immersion A. According to the science immersion in flowing water.

Don’ts House and decoration A. Expensive lighting and decoration and a gaily-decorated frame of thermocol. B. While watching entertainment programmes on the television. C. Listening to desireless songs during preparation 2. Idol A. Plaster of Paris and big size. B. Of strange attire (e.g soldier,saint etc) C. Made out of items like coconut, bananas, utensils, bottles. 3.  Religious Ritual A. Children's noise and chatting during rituals B. Not remaining present at the time of ritual. 4. Aarti A. Long aartis and in loud tone. B. Laughing and making fun during aarti. 5. Prasad A. Chatting while preparing prasad. B. Crowding during taking of prasad and teasing. 6. Procession A. Slow paced procession, alcohol, forcible application of gulal. 7. Immersion A. Donation of idol and throwing from a height.

Idols of Lord Ganesh should not have weird forms and attires. This is totally erroneous because Lord Ganapati cannot be compared to a leader, soldier, sportsman, etc. The Ganesh idol is humanized to gain cheap popularity and publicity.

       

Denigration of Ganesh Idol!

GANPATI BAPPA MAURYA!!!

Have a jouyous ganesha chaturthi...