Bengaluru is seeing a growing focus on environmentally responsible celebrations this Ganesh festival, with an initiative at Lalbagh encouraging people to choose clay idols instead of those made with materials that can harm water bodies.
Environment and Forest Minister Ramalinga Reddy distributed eco friendly Ganesha and Gowri idols free of cost to members of the public at the western entrance of Lalbagh on Sunday morning. The programme was organised with the message that traditional celebrations can continue while also taking care of the environment.
Speaking at the event, Ramalinga Reddy appealed to people to celebrate the Gowri Ganesh festival with devotion and tradition while keeping environmental protection in mind. He particularly urged citizens to avoid idols and materials that could contribute to pollution in lakes and other water sources.
The initiative was organised by Arya Vaishya Mandali and Vasavi Yuva Jana Sangha from Avenue Road. The organisations have been conducting their Ganesh Chaturthi activities with an emphasis on environmental responsibility for the past ten years.
Around 251 clay Ganesha and Gowri idols were distributed to the public this year. The free distribution was aimed at making environmentally friendly idols more accessible to families planning their festival celebrations.
Clay idols are generally considered a more suitable option for traditional immersion practices because they can break down more naturally than idols made with certain non biodegradable materials. The choice of idol is therefore one of the factors families can consider when planning an environmentally responsible festival.
The organisers said the programme was not only about distributing idols. It was also intended to create awareness among the public about protecting nature during religious celebrations.
Vasavi Yuva Jana Sangha president Gurupasad said the organisation has continued the initiative as part of its effort to promote an eco friendly and meaningful way of observing Ganesh Chaturthi. The programme combines the traditional importance of the festival with a message about environmental responsibility.
For Bengaluru, the issue is particularly relevant because festival immersions can place additional pressure on lakes and other water bodies. Materials used in idols, decorations and other festival activities can become a concern when they are not managed properly.
The organisers therefore encouraged people to make choices that reduce the environmental impact of celebrations. Using clay idols is one such step, while responsible handling of decorations and avoiding materials that can pollute water can also contribute to cleaner festival practices.
The event at Lalbagh also highlighted how community organisations can play a role in spreading environmental awareness. Rather than limiting the message to a single day, the organisers have continued their initiative over several years.
Ramalinga Reddy’s participation gave additional attention to the campaign. His appeal focused on maintaining the cultural and devotional aspects of Ganesh Chaturthi while ensuring that celebrations do not unnecessarily affect the environment.
As the festival season continues, eco friendly celebrations are expected to receive greater attention from residents and community groups. Bengaluru has previously seen various initiatives encouraging citizens to consider the environmental impact of idol immersion and festival waste.
For families, choosing a clay idol can be a simple way to support a cleaner celebration. The larger message from the programme, however, is that environmental care does not have to come at the expense of tradition.
The free distribution of 251 idols at Lalbagh provided residents with an opportunity to take part in the festival using a more environmentally conscious option. It also helped carry the organisers’ awareness message directly to the public.
With the festival bringing communities together, programmes such as this can help turn environmental protection into part of the celebration itself. The organisers hope that more people will choose eco friendly practices and help protect Bengaluru’s water bodies while observing the festival with traditional spirit.
