Ganesh Chatruthi is an annual festival that honors the elephant headed deity- lord Ganesha. This festival is marked by offering delicious delicacies to the idol of lord Ganesha all the preparations for this festival begin days before the day of the pooja. Later at the end of the festivities the idol would be submerged in water. Every year spectacular idols are bought from craftsmen - some silver, some brass, some clay .some of the idols looked like they performing various activities like playing a flute, writing scriptures.
Due to the emergence of pandemic this year we couldn't buy an idol. Instead we ordered some clay and molded it ourselves. In the beginning we weren't keen on touching the clay. But later I couldn't let go.
Slowly the balls of clay transformed into a cute miniature statue of Ganesha along with its sidekick - mooshika( the rat ) . It gave us a feeling that we had created life from a lump of shapeless clay.We let the statues bask in the sun for a couple of days before we painted the details like the eyes, crown .The Ganesha turned out to be in perfect shape for the pooja but unfortunately the rat didn't. On the day of the pooja our little Ganesha was decked with flowers, and offered food. The lamps were lit around him increased the feeling of warmth and joy.Soon time came and the Ganesha we made had be sunk in water . I carefully put it in a bucket of water and watched a piece of art disintegrate.It was fun experience -the making of spheres , attaching them , blending them together.The making of this Eco-friendly Ganesha was an enjoyable family-bonding exercise.I am eagerly waiting for making an idol of Ganesha again.
Making an Eco friendly Ganesha can also help in prevention of water pollution and Prevention of lung and eye diseases caused due to use of non branded colours and glitter.
The making of Ganesha took a different route initially it was supposed to serve as a substitute for the store but now for every Ganesh Chatruthi that is yet to come I feel that the clay Ganesha I make is a must.
Even though the making of the statue might seem like a huge process it isn't. Let me assure you that once you start making it you don't want it to end .
I encourage all of you as well to opt for making an Eco friendly Ganesha.
Ganesha without added details
Ganesha with details and flowers
