The document discusses Ganesh Chaturthi, the Hindu festival celebrating the god Ganesh. It provides information on the traditional practices of creating clay idols, immersing them in water bodies, and the environmental impacts of this. It notes that modern idols are often made of chemicals like plaster of paris that can pollute water. It recommends more eco-friendly alternatives like natural materials and localized immersion. The document advocates celebrating the festival in a way that reduces noise, air, and water pollution to protect the environment and people's health.

1. Ganapati
Bappa
Moriya

2. Ganeshotsav
The festival begins with the shukla chaturthi
(fourth day of the waxing moon period). The
festival lasts for 10 days, ending on Anant
Chaturdashi
On Anant chaturdashi the worshiped idol of
Lord Ganesha is submerged in the river …

3. “ Ganesh Festival is the
epitome ofWisdom,
Creativity, Harmony &
Positive societal change.
Provides opportunity to
the people for the artistic
expression manifested in
different forms over the
years this has undergone
tremendous change due
to people’s “

4. Concept of Ganesh Visarjan
 The idol which sculpted out of mud taken
from nearby lake. After the festival, it was
returned back to the Earth by immersing it in
a nearby water body.This cycle was meant to
represent the cycle of creation and
dissolution in Nature.

5. Didyouknow?
 Ganesh Chaturthi was being celebrated as a
public event in Pune since the times of
Chhatrapati Shivaji (1630-1680)
 its revival by Indian freedom fighter and
social reformer LokmanyaTilak
 Tilak transformed the annual domestic
festival into a large, well-organized public
event

6. In 1893, Indian freedom fighter and social
reformer Lokmanya Tilak transformed the
annual festival into a large, well-organized
public event
"to bridge the gap between Brahmins and
'non-Brahmins'
Ganesh Festival:

7. Ganesh Visarjan:
A heart touching
moment for all
the Ganesha
lovers
Loud Chant Of Ganapati Bappa Mourya

8. AfterVisarjan
Scenario

10. Hard to believe
Pieces of idols near the Visarjan areas

11. Hard to believe
After immersion people go home and
sleep!!!
They over look the fact what they have left
behind after visarjan ????

12. SCIENTIFIC CORRESPONDENCE
 Idols are made up of plaster of paris, clay, and
cloth
 Supported by small iron rods,
 Are colored with different types of paint such as
varnish and water colors.
 When immersed, these colored chemicals
dissolve slowly leading to significant alteration in
the water quality

13. Plaster of Paris
 Plaster of Paris contains gypsum, sulphur,
phosphorus and magnesium Chemical paints
contain mercury, cadmium, lead etc. These
materials poison water bodies, by increasing
chemical and organic content.
 more than 48 hours to get dissolve in water

14. Small Research :
 Concentration of calcium had increased,
 however, it was below the limits of permissible
standards.
 Magnesium, molybdenum and silicon
concentrations had also increased.
 Though magnesium is non-poisonous, it
increases the hardness of water.
 Heavy metals, especially arsenic, lead and
mercury has also increased

15. Health Effects:
Area
of
Concern

16. Effects
 Increasing acidity.
 Increasing organic matter.
 Increasing content of heavy metals.
Such pollution damages the ecosystem by:
 Killing the fishes.
 Damaging the plants.
 Blocking the natural flow of the water and causing
stagnation.

17. Effects
 Methyl Mercury-when it enters the human body,
concentrates in the brain and destroys the brain
cells, damaging the central nervous system, and
also causes corrosion and ulceration of the
digestive tract
 Breathing problems
 Blood diseases
 Skin diseases

18. Thought arise in our mind:
Is
government
sleeping???

19. What a shame ??
Isn’t it Shameful ??
and
degrading the Hindu culture ??

20. Recommendations:
 Eco Idols dissolves in >10 hrs
 Use a small painted idol made of unbaked clay if you
immerse the idol
 Immerse the idol in a tub or a water tank
 Collect the flowers and Nirmalya and compost them
 Avoid the use of thermocole and plastic in decorations

21. Eco-Friendly Idols

22. Recommendation:
 Eco Idols dissolves in >10 hrs.
Whereas other takes months to dissolve.
 Use a small painted idol made of
unbaked clay if you immerse the idol.
 Immerse the idol in a tub or a water
tank.

23. ARE WE CELEBRATING….
OR
JUST
A
SHOW
OFF??
Lets think on this

24. What thoughts come your mind
when u hear about the
Festivity of The Ganesh
Chaturthi?

25. Is it about…
Sweet & Tasty ….
Masti ,Colourful & traditional
Shiny glossy colorful mesmerising idols of
Ganesha and ….. explosion of creativity in
preparing the idols and pandal decorations… .
Aartee…Poojas, Bhajans, and… Loud music
Is it only that??

26. It creates unavoidable
Environment & Social impacts

27. • Immersion of idols made of Plaster of Paris into lakes,
rivers and the sea.
• Production of Ganesh idols on a commercial basis grew,
the earthen or natural clay was replaced by Plaster of Paris
• Thousands of plaster idols are immersed into water bodies by
devotees.These increase the level of acidity in the water and the
content of heavy metals.
• It creates bridge between different classes of society

28. All problems have solutions !!!

29. HERE ARE SOME SIMPLE WAYSTO GO GREENTHIS
GANESH CHATURTHI!
 Materials: Opt for Ganesh idols
that are made from clay and
mud and painted with natural
colours like vegetable dyes.
 Idols: Instead of buying a new
idol every year, simply use a
brass idol and carry it to the sea
for immersion. After immersing
it in the sea, it can be brought
back home and used for the next
year.
 Loudspeakers: . Banning or
reducing the use of loudspeakers
in order to reducing noise
pollution.Another way of
reducing noise pollution would
be if you could just chant,
"Ganpati Bappa Morya" without
using loudspeakers.
 Immersion: If your idol is small,
fill a bucket or tub with water
and immerse the idol in it. Once
it has dissolved, use the water
for plants. In case the idol is
large, create an artificial pond
for immersion.

30. Celebrating An Eco
Friendly Ganesh Festival

31. Fireworks
Firecrackers are traditionally perceived as being the highlight of
Ganesh celebrations.
Moving from simple sparklers to elaborate fireworks
All available crackers contain large amounts of toxic substances.
These affect people in different ways.
Store Safely: Toxic substances are harmful to all living creatures.
Wash hands with soap twice after handling fireworks.
Reduce the unnecessary use of fireworks, as their harmful effects
are experienced long after Ganesh celebrations are ended.

32. Fireworks
Toxics In Firecrackers
Copper: Causes irritation in the respiratory tract, which leads to respiratory
ailments.
Cadmium: Reduces the oxygen carrying capacity of blood, leading to anemia. It
also causes kidney damage.
Lead: Lead in the body has a harmful effect on the nervous system.
Magnesium: Magnesium fumes cause a condition known as metal fume fever.
This is a fever accompanied by a metallic taste in the mouth.
Zinc: Also causes metal fume fever. In addition, it also induces vomiting.
Sodium: Sodium is a highly reactive element. It combines with moisture in the air
and on the skin, causing burns.

33. Fireworks
Other Problems
Air Pollution: Toxic fumes in the smoke also causes air pollution.
However, people suffering from asthma and other respiratory
conditions could have an attack by slightest smoke inhalation.
Noise Pollution: Some fireworks can produce a sound of 100 decibels
when they are burst. Any sound beyond 50 decibels is classified as
being noise. Sudden noise can cause temporary hearing loss.
Crackers burst indiscriminately cause long term problems to babies
and elderly people.
Child Labor: Some fireworks are made by over 50,000 child-laborers
in India. Due to diseases by toxic substances, many of these children
do not live beyond their teenage years.
Burns & Injuries: Careless handling of fireworks causes countless
accidents of burns, blinding and maiming each year.
Fireworks Scare Pets: Animals like Birds, Cats & Dogs get extremely
stressed during festivals like Ganesh. This could cause unpredictable
behavior.

34. Ganesh Idols
Forgetting Traditions
Traditional clay to make Ganesh idols has slowly been
replaced by Plaster of Paris (POP) over the years.
POP contains chemicals such as gypsum, sulphur,
phosphorus, and magnesium that do not biodegrade.
Traditional natural dye paints replaced by heavy metal
based paints that contain mercury, cadmium, arsenic,
lead, and carbon
Fruits, garlands, decorations replaced by disposable
plastic or thermocol alternatives that do not biodegrade.

35. Ganesh Idols
Wells, Beaches and Riverbanks are dirty for days after
Visarjan causing an eyesore.
Water gets toxic with idol remains, plastic garlands, coconuts,
crowns etc as they do not break down easily. Fish mortality is
common after immersion, proving the effects of toxic
substances.

36. Ganesh Idols
Solutions
Reuse the same idol every year. Brass or copper idols can be symbolically
immersed.
Choose clay idols over POP even if slightly more expensive.
Buy idols painted with vegetable based dyes. Else, buy an idol with least
amount of paint. Avoid idols with excessive gold, silver or glosssy paints.
Buy locally grown fruit. For decorations, use only cloth, wood or paper based
items. Avoid plastics, laminates and thermocol as they are non recyclable.
Encourage people to immerse the idols in tanks of water rather than in natural
water bodies.

37. Ghumats & More
Ghumats: The top of a Ghumat, used during Bhajans and Pujas
is made with monitor lizard skin, secured with cotton string. This
causes scores of monitor lizards to be illegally slaughtered for
their skin. Domestic animal skins and materials are available as an
alternative.
Power Consumption: People decorate their homes by lighting
them up. This places a huge load on the power supply system.
Electric lights are used to decorate entire homes, offices, and
roads. Sometimes, these lights are even left on even during the
day. This is a waste of energy. It is better to switch to the
traditional oil lamps. Even though they consume oil, these lamps
are usually used only for a short time.

38. A Major Highlight

39. Making ArtificialTubs for Immersion
Small Water bodies are made by tubs ,these tubs are
placed in different part of the Cities for devotees to
immerse their idols .
Segmentation of River
A small portion of the river is segmented by creating small
dam like structure which are used exclusively for immersing
these Ganesha idols. Out of the 13 rivers 2 were selected for
this Project. If successfully implemented the scope of the
project is extended to all the 13 lakes

40. Conclusion

42. Ganapati Bappa Mauryaa
If you still continue this
practice then you
should be prepared for
similar reciprocation.
That would be fair.
JAI SHREE GANESH
OM GANESHAYA NAMAH

45. Thank You
Mr. Dinesh S
jadugardinesh@gmail.com
+91 9980616801
/Jadugar Dinesh S Gowda
/Jadugar dinesh
/httpjadugardinesh.blogspot.in