THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The disturbing sight of plaster of paris idol parts surfacing in water bodies after Ganeshotsav immersions across the country has prompted local devotees to choose Eco Friendly idols this year also. The Ganeshotsav trust says that eco friendly idols made of clay, coconut husk and chalk powder has been specially installed in most of the 1,208 centres.
Interestingly, in 1991, when Ganeshotsav was celebrated for the first time in the capital city, only a single idol was immersed at Shangumughom beach. However every year the count has increased and nearly a lakh idols were immersed last year. Shanmugham beach is where around 2 lakh idols installed in houses will be immersed after pooja. Whether these will be eco-friendly is a question mark. Maharashtra government has been advocating immersions in specially made tanks.
“Only small idols should be immersed and if big ones are used, they should be salvaged by the entities who immerse them, not by the government,” demanded activist Eloor Purushan. He said that the Kerala coast was where toxic materials from across the Arabian Sea generally get accumulated. The Ganeshotsav trust, however, says it has woken up last year itself to the pollution potential of idols and is doing something about it. “However, big clay idols are heavy, so we have started using chalk powder, husk and natural colours to make idols,” said a trust official.
Ganeshotsav to witness immersion of 2 lakh idols
The ten-day Ganeshotsav celebrations will conclude with a colourful procession and cultural meeting on Wednesday. Early in the day, Ganeshotsav trust will set up a sacred kiln at Shangumugham beach where 1,00,008 coconuts will be burnt by priests from famous South Indian temples as a part of the ‘sarva vigna nivarana yagnam’. Idols from around 2 lakh households and 1,208 centres will be brought to East Fort at 3 pm from where a procession will start to Shangumugham for immersion. The cultural procession will feature an array of dance forms and all popular type of percussions including Nashik dhol and chenda melam. Eight avatars of lord Ganesha in 32 different get ups will be on display at the procession.
Around 2000 percussion artists will lead the cultural gala that will accompany the Ganesha idols. Representatives of various royal families, heads of different religious sects including Archbishop Susa Pakiyam will be present. Local Bodies Minister KT Jaleel will inaugurate the cultural programme and former Chief Minister Oomen Chandy will also participate. Shiv Sena MP from Mumbai, Anil Desai will be the chief guest at the function. The procession carrying Ganesha idols will pass through Overbridge, Statue, Palayam, General Hospital, Pattoor, Pettah, and will conclude at Shanghumugham. Traffic restrictions can be anticipated in these stretches in the evening, officials said.
