The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi was celebrated with much fanfare in Jharsuguda district. However, most organisers opted for eco-friendly ways to celebrate the festival this year.
The Friends Club, which completed 25 years of celebrations, this year decided to adopt eco-friendly material for all decorations as well as for the Ganesh idol, informed Friends Club president Ajay Poddar.
Prepared with more than 25,000 pieces of recyclable paper, the Ganesh idol would not be immersed in water and instead would be installed in a temple. Similarly, the puja pandal was constructed with dried straw, bamboo and mud. The organisers said the pandal will give a touch of rural tribal culture and spread the message of ‘Go Green’.
People have gradually started accepting idols made of clay. “I have seen an increase of 20 to 25 per cent in the demand of clay idols from the last couple of years. These idols are not attractive, but responsible citizens are showing their concern. They are buying these idols,” said a shopkeeper selling clay idols, near Manmohan School ground.
Similarly, organisers in Brajrajnagar, Belpahar, Bandhbahal, and Banharpali town have also followed suit and opted for eco-friendly Ganesha idols made of clay.