Jaipur’s unique Ganeshotsav: idols with plant seeds blossom

Like every year, this year in Jaipur, Rajasthan, there is a lot of excitement to witness Ganesh Chaturthi. Every street and neighbourhood has shops selling idols. As much as people are enthusiastic about the arrival of Lord Ganesha, they are also concerned about the environment. With each passing year, the demand for eco-friendly Ganesh idols is on the rise. This year, idol makers have crafted almost all Lord Ganesha idols from clay.
In Jaipur, especially sourced fine clay from Kolkata is used to make Lord Ganesha idols. Alongside, artisans have taken a unique initiative to create eco-friendly idols. In this initiative, they have incorporated seeds of various plants into several idols made of clay. This innovative approach has ignited a different level of enthusiasm among devotees. On the other hand, the demand for eco-friendly Ganesh idols is also increasing due to the shortage of water sources in the city, and the rising water pollution caused by the immersion of idols in rivers, lakes, or other water bodies during Ganeshotsav and Durga Puja. These clay idols can not only be immersed in your homes but are also highly beneficial for the environment.
The work of crafting idols is notably taking place at the Birla Temple on Moti Dungri Road in Jaipur. Furthermore, idol selling is ongoing in other locations across the city, including L.N. Marg, Gopalpura, and Shyam Nagar. The artisans who create Lord Ganesha idols are primarily from the Malvi and Gujarati communities. These artisans used both clay and paper to craft the idols. The price of these eco-friendly idols ranges from 50 rupees to 25,000 rupees.