Ganesha from ‘gobar’ is an artist’s green devotion

VADODARA: Many consider it holy, others cover their nose when they have to walk past it on the streets. But cow dung was a material of choice for this artist when it came to making an eco-friendly Ganpati idol. The artist made the idol after consulting religiously inclined persons regarding his plans.
Kishan Shah, a self-trained artist staying in the Karelibaug area, has made a two feet high and 1.5 feet broad idol of the Elephant God using cow dung.The idol weighs 48 kg and no other material has been used in it.
Shah (26) said that he had heard about idol of Lord Krishna being made using cow dung. “I was looking to make a Ganpati idol using the material and discussed the ideas with people who were aware of the religious aspects,” he said. Shah added that it was believed that all the 33 crore ‘devi-devtas’ resided in a cow, but not many realised its importance.
Shah said that he procured cow dung from a cattleshed in the city that kept cows in a healthy condition. “I did not use any steel supports to make the frame for the idol. I have used the wood of a mango tree for the purpose,” said Shah.
Shah claims that he is the only one in the state to have made such an idol. He added that such idols were made by some persons in other states, but they were made using moulds and were not hand made. Shah will immerse the idol at his residence in a water container. “It will dissolve faster than a clay idol. The water can then be used in the garden and will act as manure. This way Bappa will stay with us forever,” he said.