Eco-friendly Ganesh puja in Kolkata

We often speak about climate change and global warming, but very little is done about addressing this problem. This year, Maharashtra Mandal Kolkata, has taken a wonderful initiative of celebrating 10 days of Ganesh Utsav by creating minimal waste. This would be 99th Ganesh Utsav celebrations celebrated in the premises of Maharashtra Mandal, which would be celebrating its centenary year 2024.

“We have tried to follow the waste management principles of 5Rs, Refuse , Reduce, Recycle, Repurpose and Rot. The idol of Lord Ganesha is made of Clay and not POP. We have kept the decorations minimal and eco friendly, by using fabric and dried flowers. We have requested our members to carry their own water bottles and containers which would majorly reduce the amount of disposable waste,” said Yogini Bapat from the puja committee. She added, “A composting bin has been placed for the composting of the floral offerings, which adds to almost 25-30 kgs per day. This itself will be helping in reducing a sizable amount of waste going to the dumping grounds creating methane Gas. Special floral offering of Bappa’s favourite hibiscus and rose flowers is made daily, these flowers will be converted into bioenzymes, which will have all the benefits of these flowers. Bio Enzymes are multipurpose liquid solutions which can replace almost all the chemical cleaners and chemical fertilisers used daily in our household. The plastics which would be used would be collected in a separate bin and would be further given for recycling to the local recycling company.”

Bappa’s favourite Modaks and performing Kirtan, Lezim and folk dances of Maharashtra to greet Lord Ganesha. Mahaprasad would be offered to the Lord on Sunday, and later the community will bid a teary eyed farewell to the Lord on September 28.