Dharmapuri: With Ganesh Chaturthi just days away, various forms of the elephant-faced Hindu gods can be spotted across India. The devotees bring home various forms of the idol of ek danta (the on with one teeth) where the God is often seen in attires and roles different than the traditional one. For example, last year Kargil Vinayaka was much in news with lord Ganesha in Indian army uniform.
Giving a twist to the traditional idols, a team of graduates from Tamil Nadu's Dharmapuri town have made the eco-friendly 'seed-Ganesha'.
The clay idols are moulded around a seed - either neem, sacred fig or any other native tree - which when immersed in water will dissolve completely revealing a seed that can be planted by the devotee.
These eco-friendly idols have become an instant hit and they are selling like hotcakes, with orders pouring in online from domestic as well as international clients.
Besides the seed, what makes the idol special is the use of organic clay and natural dyes to paint. The trio who came up with the idea of the 'seed-Ganesha' have complied with the government order of not using plaster of Paris (POP), chemicals and paints while making Ganesha idols., the makers of the eco-friendly Vinayaka, produce the idols with clay and natural dyes.
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With corona raining on every parade this year, the sale of Ganesha idols saw a steep dip ahead of Chaturthi.
The Tamil Nadu government also banned the installation, display and worship of the idols in public places to keep a check on COVID-19 spread in the state.
However, the Dharmapuri trio took up Vinayaka idol production not only as a profitable venture but as a tool to spread the message of conservation so that devotees ring in a safe and healthy Ganesha Chaturthi.
So far the makers have produced 6000 idols and they say they have been in business for the past four years.
"Each idol measuring one ft to 1.5 ft is priced at Rs 250. We sell them across the country and abroad through online,” they said.
Also read: COVID-19 diminishes demand for large-sized Ganesha idols in Haryana
“We have customers in the United States, Singapore, Australia and other countries and we make sure they receive their idol on time. Those who have decided to celebrate the festival within the confines of their homes prefer this small and compact size of the Ganesha idols. Online sale has witnessed an increase,” they added, explaining the reason behind brisk sales even during the pandemic.
The trio from Dharmapuri has managed to change the essence of the festival and hopefully, more such initiatives will be presented in future.
