Ganesh Chaturthi 2021: An aura of excitement combined with decked-up homes and the sweet fragrance of yummy modaks are what mark the Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations. It is a ten-day-long festival dedicated to Lord Ganesha and this year it will be celebrated from 10th September to 21st September.
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As a ritual, lakhs of devotees bring Ganesh idols into their homes at the beginning of the celebration. People chant Vedic hymns, offer prayers and decorate the idols with flowers. At the end of the festival, these idols are carried in processions with all the bells and whistles and immersed in nearby water bodies.
While festivals are important, we must not forget the environmental impact that some of these age-old traditions have. The idols are usually made of non-biodegradable materials which can pollute the water bodies. Hence, it is extremely important that we do not get carried away by emotions and forget about the environment. Rather we could opt for clay idols, decorated with natural colours, that will easily dissolve in the water.
However, if you still choose to use idols made of non-biodegradable material, then you can always immerse them in artificial water tanks or buckets. Alternatively, instead of each house placing separate idols, groups from the same locality can install one Ganpati idol. This will not only help save a lot of resources but will have less of an impact on the environment as well.
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