Bhopalis learn how to make Ganesh idols

BHOPAL: With Ganesh Chaturthi right around the corner, home-made Ganesh idols are trending this year.
They solve three purposes — it is safe to make the idol at home and avoid going out, it is a new hobby and the idols are eco-friendly, say residents.
Naveen Bodkha, secretary, Narmada Samagra, an organization working for water conservation said that he has organised over 10 online classes with over 100 participants in each to teach children how to make papier-mache and clay idols with seeds of some medicinal plants that can be grown in their gardens later."This year there has been a sudden rise in interest in making beej-Ganesha as families due to the pandemic as people are trying to be self-reliant as far as possible. Around 1,200 students have learnt the process online, with around 50 students coming for offline classes in batches of five. There has also been a sharp rise in awareness about environmental issues, encouraging more people to make their own idols," said Bodkhe.
Another city-based social worker Sandhya Dhote is preparing clay idols of the deity with extracts of 76 medicinal plants that can enrich the soil fertility once it is immersed in a pot after the festival. The social worker is helping devotees get the idols at their doorstep during the pandemic.
"The clay idols have extracts of panchgavya, panchamirt, ashtagandha, kimkum, sindoor, turmeric, betel leaf, camphor, clove, supari etc mixed with cow dung cakes and powdered tamarind seeds. The idols are not painted as paints contain chemical colours. After visarjan, the water can be used to water the garden plants. The organic extracts help increase soil fertility and boost plant growth,” said Dhote.