O Ganesha, avert this environmental catastrophe!

Isn’t it ironic that a beloved deity symbolic of new beginnings and removal of obstacles has clogged our lakes and tanks and littered our coastlines? Traditionally, Ganesh or Ganpati idols were made of earth, which dissolved easily in the water in which they were immersed during visarjan. Over time, as the magnitude of celebrations grew, mud and clay made way for Plaster of Paris, a cheaper and lighter gypsum-based binding material that degrades very slowly. Also, the vegetable dyes that were traditionally used to color idols were replaced with chemical-based coloring agents and lead-based paints, which leach toxins into the water causing serious health hazards. On the eve of Ganesh Chaturthi, we raise a familiar question again: Should we celebrate at such great cost to the environment? Or will you make a small but significant difference this year?

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