Where To Buy An Eco-Friendly Idol This Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesha Chaturthi is a festival that many Hindus celebrate with great pomp and ceremony. Celebrations range from quiet gatherings at home to large displays involving processions and community feasts. Traditionally, idols were simple, made of natural materials like clay, cowdung and vegetable dyes, often by members of the family from materials gathered from nearby rivers or tanks. These idols were minimally decorated and easily dissolved when immersed in water bodies after the rituals were over.
Today, Plaster of Paris (PoP) is the predominant material used in idol-making because it is light and easy to transport. PoP is also better suited to the use of synthetic paints and plastic or metal embellishments added to enhance the idol's visual appeal.
The dangers of PoP and synthetic paints are well known, leading to PoP idols being banned in many parts of the country. These idols, worshipped carefully for 10 days, are found to remain intact for long after their immersion, leaking poisons into the water and soil. They are found strewn on beaches and float disfigured in lakes and rivers. In the absence of space to manage them properly, they often end up in garbage dumps and landfills.
There are many non-polluting options today available online, on street sides and in stores. While the aesthetic appeal of a simple earthen idol is unmatched, there are idols that use safe colours and others that contain seeds that will grow into plants or become food for birds and fish.
Opting for an eco-friendly idol is the safe, responsible choice so that your celebrations do not pollute the soil and water of the earth.
Here are some places to buy an eco-friendly idol this festive season in Bengaluru and Mumbai:
Bengaluru
1. My Samskruti: 100% Natural Eco-Ganesha. Idols can be delivered to your doorstep. Mail them at info@mysamskruti.com or call 9538399100.
2. Seshadri
No.3, Near BMS College Of Women, West Anjaneya Temple Road, Gandhi Bazar, Bengaluru, Call: 9342303247
3. A Hundred Hands
No 4 Ashley road, Behind Ajanta Hotel,
Off Brunton Road, Behind MG Road, Bengaluru 560 025
Contact: Mala Dhawan: 080 25583292 / 98450 08482
4. Mother Nature
Shop No.12, 2nd Floor, Royal Meenakshi Mall, Hulimavu, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, Call: (080) 25125131
No.s- 40 & 41, 2nd Floor, Mantri Mall, Sampige Road, Malleswaram, Bangalore, Call: (080) 65472292
No.541/543, Opp To Dell Office, Amarjyothi Layout, Intermediate Ring Road, Domlur, Bangalore, Call: (080) 65397957
5. To Make A Difference Foundation Stall Locations
- Venkateswara Temple, BEML Layout (Near Hypercity Mall, Kundanahalli signal)
(24th Aug 7AM-1PM / 3PM-7PM && 25th Aug 6AM-11AM)
- Near Springfield Apartment, Sarjapur Road.
(24th Aug 3PM-9PM)
6. Sujatha
HAl Market, HAL 2nd Stage-Indira Nagar, Bengaluru, Call: 9886888117
7. Ecochoice
2nd Floor, 100 Feet Road, Indiranagar
Near 12th Main Signal, Above Petals
Phone: 080-64520757
8. Adi Naturals
19th B Main, 3rd Cross
JP Nagar 2nd Phase
Near: JP Nagar Club
Phone: 9980419647
9. Other vendors
Bharat: +91 90362 59555
Kiran: +91 97393 16169
Grow2share: +91 77605 87460
Gift My Gifts: +91 96111 47474
Source: EcoExist
Mumbai
1. EcoExist: They have a wide range of Ganesha idols sculpted by traditional artisans with biodegradable materials. Order yours online or call 9049146644.
2. Mother Earth outlets in Ghatkopar (W) and Tardeo
3. The Bombay Store
Western India House,
Sir P.M.Road,
Fort, Mumbai- 400 001.
Telephone: (022) 4066 9999
Store Timings: 10:30am to 7:30pm (Sun- 10:30am to 6:30pm)
4. White Flowers (Dadar West)
Shop no.1, Ekdant building,
Near Janata Sahakari Bank Agar Bazaar,
Dadar West,
Mumbai-28.
Telephone- Shilpa Ranjan: 24301149
Store Timings- 10.30 am - 8.30 pm
5. Dhoop Crafts (Khar)
Plot no. 27A,
Tridev Building,
Ground floor,
21 rd., Khar Danda,
Khar(W), Mumbai 400 052.
Telephone: (022) 32421265/65819351/52
Store Timings: 11.00am to 8.30pm (Sundays closed)
6. Shri. Rajendra Ghone (Kurla West)
Telephone- 9820073834
7. Green Ways (Pedder Road)
Nikhil Villa,
19, Carmichael Road,
Mumbai 400 026
Telephone: 022-23520684, 022- 23526291
Store Timings: 10.30 am to 6.30 pm. Sundays closed.
8. Mangesh Bendre (Kandivali West)
Telephone- 9833485944
9. Radhika Arora (Juhu)
A2, Anand Society,
137, S. V. Road,
Behind Shoppers Stop,
Andheri- West
Telephone: 9820676765.
10. Bangar (Dadar)
Telephone- 9167773574
11. Suriti Culture Shop (Powai)
Level 2,
Haiko Mall,
Central Avenue,
Hiranandani Gardens,
Powai,
Mumbai- 400 052.
Telephone: (022) 66939777/ 66965800,
Ibrahim: 97202539853
Store Timings: 10.30am to 9.30pm
12. Dhumak (Chembur)
Telephone- 9833030132
13. Heena Choksi (Kandivali)
Urvashi,
99C Queens road,
La Cicadella,
Nr. Income tax office,
Mumbai- 400 020.
Telephone: (022) 09833664750, 09892034750.
Contact between: 1pm to 6pm.
Store Timings- Contact: 022-22007956 between 2pm to 4pm
14. Ms. Shraddha (Andheri East)
302/A Wing, Gurudutt Housing Society,
J B Nagar,
Behind SAI Kinara Restaurant & Planet Health Gym,
Andheri East, Mumbai - 400059
Telephone- +(91)-22-61627125, +(91)-9967799647
Website- www.claycrossing.co.in
15. Javin Bhinde (Wadala)
Mount Alps B Wing,
Bhakti Park,
Wadala (E),
Mumbai- 400 037.
Telephone: 98671 94476
Email: javinb@gmail.com
16. Anand Pendharkar
Sprouts Earth Shop,
5, Pawar Shops,
Rani Sati Marg,
Malad East,
Mumbai- 400 097.
Telephone: 9820140254
Website: http://www.sproutsenvttrust.org
Email: sproutsonline@gmail.com
Store Timings: 11am-7 pm, Thursdays Closed.
17. Maati Crafts (Powai)
109, 1st floor,Powai plaza,
Opp Pizza Hut,
Hiranandani Gardens,
Powai- Mumbai 400 076.
Telephone: (022) 25717209/ 64532111.
Website: http://www.maaticrafts.com/
Store Timings- All days from 10.30am to 8.30pm
18. Our Lil Bit (Versova)
8A, Beach Queen,
JP Road,
Versova,
Mumbai, India- 400053.
Store Timings: Tues - Sun: 11:00 am - 10:30 pm
(With inputs from Seema Das)
