Bhopal: While the ongoing coronavirus crisis has dampened the spirit of all festivals, one sculptor, Subhash Dhote in Madhya Pradesh's Bhopal has made small clay idols of Lord Ganesha with extracts of 76 medicinal plants.
The city-based social worker cum sculptor, Dhote has prepared clay idols of the deity with extracts of 76 medicinal plants that can further improve the soil fertility once it is immersed in a pot after the festival. He is also helping devotees get the idols at their doorstep during the pandemic.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Dhote said, "The clay idols have extracts of panchgavya, panchamirt, ashwagandha, kumkum, 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."
"Every year, Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations culminate with the immersion of Ganesha idols in the sea, rivers, lakes or ponds. As most idols are made from Plaster of Paris and toxic, non-biodegradable chemical colours, the immersion ends up causing considerable harm to marine life," he said.
"But these clay idols are totally natural and 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.
The 10-day festivities of Ganesh Chaturthi, the birth anniversary of Lord Ganesha, will begin on August 22. The festivities end with the final immersion of an idol of Lord Ganesha, called the Visarjan.
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