Karnataka pollution board floats turmeric Ganesha idea

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, citizens are urged to make Ganesh idols at home. The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) ahead of the Ganesha festival has embarked on a ‘Turmeric Ganesha’ campaign.

Mangalore: Amid the coronavirus pandemic, the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has come up with promoting the eco-friendly Ganesh idols ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi this year.

Appealing to the public to embrace eco-friendly methods of worshipping Ganesha, the Board has come up with the ‘Turmeric Ganesha’ idea keeping in mind the Covid-19 pandemic.

The idols made from turmeric and dough can be immersed at home and the water can be used to sanitise homes. The campaign has set a target of one million home-made turmeric idols this festival, said the board.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board officer, Keerthi Kumar, said, "After the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) banning the display and pooja of Ganesha idols in public places due to virus fears, people have been finding it tough to celebrate the festival. Hence, the KSPCB has appealed to the public to make idols of Ganesha by themselves at homes and worship."

"Awareness is created among the people to worship Lord Ganesha at home and they are encouraged to make the idol of Lord Ganesha using turmeric. Turmeric, traditionally, has plenty of medicinal values and people are becoming aware of these values during the pandemic. Our idea is to reach out to even more people and create awareness about the medicinal value of turmeric," Kumar added.

Officials revealed that the move would also help protect nature. Motivating people to pursue the idea, it has also allowed people to post images of turmeric Ganesha made by them on the Board's Facebook page.

Ganesha Chaturthi falls on August 22.