All over the world, ancient people believed that the cycle of nature depended on the favour of the Gods. Bharata was no exception to it. Therefore all the festivals and vratas( religious vows) are based on nature. But there has been an enormous population explosion since the times of yore when these vratas and festivals were formulated. These vratas were followed by people who lived close to nature. They might not have imagined how people of the future
would stay in thousands of minuscule rooms in chawls, or in apartments and skyscrapers leaving their village behind. Their
religious practices were in tune with those circumstances. Now only the carcass of those vratas remains. Their
spirit has gone away. These spiritless rituals are destroying us and our
environment. Only if the view behind Shastras is understood will religion lose
its inertia and the society will be invigorated. Why Parthiva pooja ?
An icon is a simple way to focus on a deity . Though there are various media through which idols can be made, clay
or mud is the easiest material available.
The term Parthiva means that which is made of Prithvi (earth). Hence worship of an earthen
idol is called Parthiva pooja. Shastras say that in Kaliyuga, an idol made of
mud is more effective than idols of gold or silver. The Shastrakaras may have
said this due to their foresight about the plight of individuals in Kaliyuga.
Yet the basic thought is ‘ worshiping God through materials readily available
in one’s own vicinity and returning those materials to the same ecosystem after
the worship is over.’
Ganesha festival :
Ganesha festival is actually based on the worship of a clay idol of Ganesha advocated in Shivapurana and Agnipurana. The festival is most popular in Maharashtra with southern Bharata in tow. Yet it's popularity stretches worldwide. You-tube hosts clippings of people celebrating Ganesha festival in Thailand too. There are also some Parsi, Sikh and even Muslim families which celebrate this festival like their Hindu brethen.
The iconic problems :
As pointed out earlier, the former style and the environmental implications of this festival have changed with time. The idol which is the focal point of celebration was earlier made at home or by the village potter. It has metamorphosized into a full time industry for many artisans now. Due to the increase in cost of clay, its heaviness and time taken to dry, artisans use plaster of Paris ( POP) which is not eco-friendly at all. The Sarvajanik Mandals order huge idols which require the use of iron rods for stability. Moreover, the colours used on them are dangerous to the environment. In addition to this, the demand for Ganesha idols has been increasing every year. To top it all the Municipality does not have proper plans for separate immersion and recycling of idols. Last year the undissolved idols in immersion tanks were again immersed in the sea and rivers ! Every Ganeshotsava thus deals a cruel blow to the already fragile environment.
How can we overcome these problems? Ganesh festival is celebrated every year due to love of tradition, the fondness for festivities, by fear or faith in God or cultural compulsions. But we cannot hold environment at ransom for our religious or cultural needs. Some practical thinking which guided by the scriptures might help us overcome this delicate problem. The following points are worth considering .
1. Divisions of the same family should not celebrate Ganesh festival separately.
All family members should come together and celebrate the festival. If it is not possible to do so, they should go volunteer for a Sarvajanik Ganesha festival or perform Sevas at a Ganesha temple during the Ganesha Chaturthi festival.
2. Dimensions of the idol should be as per the scriptures.
The least height of an idol worshipped at home should be as much as the upper digit of the human thumb and the maximum limit should be 12 angulas i.e. the length of a normal palm. If this is adhered to, then the problem of clay deposits
due to immersion will automatically be reduced.3. Do not resort to nontraditional materials.
This Vrata should be celebrated with an earthen idol. Papier mache is not mud and neither does the idol dissolve easily in water therefore this option is not eco-friendly. Last year a lady made a Ganesh from chocolate
and immersed it in milk which was then distributed to poor children. This idea is innovative and generated through goodwill. But since this vrata is of a Parthiva Ganesha, it is my personal opinion that this option does not confirm to the spirit of the vrata. 4. Clay is not totally environment friendly.
Some institutions suggest that the clay idol can be immersed at home and the water can be given to plants. But this is not advisable since clay blocks the pores in the soil and does not allow water to percolate down thereby causing suffocation to the roots and also their decay. Though clay is from the same ecosystem as lakes and rivers, unnatural influx of large amount of clay during immersion of idols is bound to disturb the ecological balance of the water body .
5. Installing two idols is a feasible option.Create an idol as per scriptures using soil from garden/ farm which is as small as the thumb or as big as your palm. This can be used for the rituals. A larger and colourful idol made of stone, fiber glass
, wood or metal can be kept behind it for aesthetic purposes but this idol should never be immersed.6. Immersion can be done at home.
If an idol is made by using garden soil, it can be easily immersed at home and the water along with the soil can be safely used for plants. moreover it won't create any hazard for the environment even if immersed in any water body.
7. Convince your family members.
Many a times, in spite of agreeing with the environmental view we tend to give in to insistence by children or pressure from other family members to buy colourful POP idols. We should try and convince them that we are holding the environment at stake for our fancies. There is no greater misfortune if indiscriminate following of religious traditions and a fancifulness that makes us forget about the current situation become reasons for our degradation.
8. Motivate children to make idols.
Children are always eager to take part in celebrations. They can be encouraged to make the idol for their home. Many schools in Andhrapradesh have taken up this project.
9. Compel artisans to make idols from red / farm soil.
Ganesha idols from red terracotta clay are available in Hyderabad. These idols are coloured using natural colours.
10. Larger idols can be made using Bamboo and straw.
Bengali artisans make the inner body frame of an idol using bamboo and straw. These are then plastered with cow dung and clay. The same method can be followed for making big idols. After immersion the clay will wash off and the straw and bamboo can be recycled. Yet the colours used for these idols should be natural and the clothes and ornaments should also be made by using clay.
Method of making Parthiva (mud idols) at home:
It is heard that Shri Dattamaharaj Kavishwar of Pune used to prepare Parthiva Ganeshas for their family Ganeshotsava. Similarly Pandit Shri Ravi Tambe from Thane also reminiscences that his father used to prepare a Ganesha idol afresh for the Ganesh Chaturthi vrata during pooja. The following mantras are used while preparing the idol. First timers should make this idol at least 8-10 days in advance so that they can be confident that the idol does not crack.
1. हेरम्बाय नमः । (Herambaaya Namah)- bring the soil/ take the soil in front of you using this mantra. If terracotta clay is not available, then use soil from a farm or garden and let it dry for a few days. Local nurseries will readily provide dry soil. Clean this soil using a fine sieve and take only the fine dust which falls down. If a cow dung cake is crushed and mixed with the soils, it will strengthen the idol. But this is optional.
2. गणनायकाय नमः । ( Gananaayakaaya Namah) - add water and mix the soil into a ball by this mantra . Add water slowly and roll the soil firmly. If you mix it for a considerable time, there will be no air bubbles inside the ball.
3. सुमुखाय नमः । (Sumukhaaya Namah) - Shape the idol by this mantra. Be careful not to crack the soil while shaping the idol. Keep your hands wet whle shaping the mud. Do not add more clay. It is not necessary to get a full fledged idol with all limbs at the first instance. Even if you fashion the ears and an elephants head and snout it is enough to represent a Ganesha. By practice you c an make the other limbs too. Till then you can model your idol as per one of the easier Ganeshas in the Ashtavinayakas.
4. गौरीपुत्राय नमः । (Gauriputraaya Namah) - Install the idol on the pooja altar by this mantra. Then do the rituals for pranapratishthaa etc.
This vidhi has been given as per the Shastras. This idol lasts for a long time and if prepared from a single clay ball, it is less likely to develop any cracks. There are also many clips on You-Tube showing how to make eco-friendly Ganeshas.
Haridra Ganesha : In south India , there is also a tradition of making Ganesha with turmeric. There are clippings on the net showing the procedure. But this Ganesha can only be worshipped for a day or two otherwise it is likely to get spoiled or crumbled.
I hope this post reaches many Ganesha devotees and they develop the inclination to worship Ganesha also in his Vishwaatmaka form ie as the God pervading the entire creation. To take care of nature is itself a form of worship offered to the Lord. Have an eco-friendly Chaturthi !
The first photograph below illustrates the concept of pooja murti and utsav moorti. The puja idol is made from ordinary soil . All the rituals will be performed on this idol and it will be immersed finally. The utsav moorti seen behind is for aesthetic purpose and will be retained at home. No rituals are performed on the utsav moorti. It is only decorated.
The second photograph shows Ganesha idols made by me with garden soil obtained from a nursery. It took me 45 minutes to make this idol in the middle right from sieving the soil to the finishing. The other idols tooks 15 to 20 minutes each. The middle idol is more than 2 inches tall the rest are around more than one and a half inches. The middle idol took 4-5 days to dry completely while the others took 2-3 days.
