Pure Devotion, Zero Pollution

This year, Bappa may have arrived without the grand thrones, crowns and gold-adorned jewellery. Instead, he came with expressive eyes and a handmade structure — and, importantly, a material that could make the journey to visarjan easier. Enter the paper-mâché Ganpati idol. Lightweight and capable of being made from paper pulp, these idols are emerging as an alternative for devotees looking to make visarjan less cumbersome and potentially kinder to the environment. But there is an important caveat: paper-mâché is not automatically eco-friendly. The paper, glue, paints, varnishes and decorations used determine how easily an idol can be disposed of or immersed. And eco-friendly certainly does not have to mean boring, basic or beautiful only from a distance.

Paper, water, glue and a little patience can be transformed into paper pulp and shaped into an idol. The process allows artisans and families to experiment with size, form and detailing. Unlike heavier idols, a paper-mâché idol is easier to lift and transport — an advantage when visarjan day arrives. Its lighter weight can also make the physical process of carrying the idol considerably easier. But the choice of materials matters. For a genuinely environment-conscious idol, devotees should look for natural, water-soluble or otherwise suitable materials and avoid plastic-based embellishments, synthetic coatings and toxic paints.

For years, the environmental impact of idol immersion has been a concern. Plaster-based idols can be difficult to dissolve, while paints, decorative materials and other non-biodegradable elements can add to the waste left behind after visarjan. “Visiting a beach after the visarjan is painful — it’s filled with idols with broken arms and legs. Along with that, there are sharp pieces of cut jewellery that hurt our feet,” says Seeta Tiwari, a homemaker. That is where a thoughtfully made paper-mâché idol can offer an advantage. It is lighter to transport and, when made with appropriate materials, can be easier to manage after the festivities. Clay idols remain another popular eco-conscious choice, but they can be heavier and may require specific immersion conditions. Paper-mâché therefore offers another option — particularly for smaller home celebrations.

Not plain, not boring

There is a misconception that choosing an eco-friendly idol means sacrificing beauty. Paper-mâché can be shaped into detailed forms, from traditional seated Ganeshas to contemporary designs. The surface can be finished and decorated beautifully — although devotees should be mindful of what those finishing materials contain. “We started a family workshop at home, where each family in the building was given an opportunity to create a Ganesha with paper pulp,” says Aditi Desai, an artisan. The process can turn idol-making into a family activity, allowing children and adults to understand the craft while thinking about what happens to the idol after the celebrations end.

With this year’s Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations now over, perhaps the bigger lesson is for next year’s Bappa. Choosing an idol should not be only about how grand it looks when it enters the home. It is also worth asking what happens when the celebrations end. A smaller, lighter paper-mâché idol can make carrying and handling easier, while an idol made without problematic paints, coatings and decorations can make for a more environmentally responsible choice. As college student Rajvi Subhedar puts it: “Cute, conscious, and still serving looks — that’s the Gen Z way.” The festival may be over, but the lesson lasts beyond visarjan: Bappa does not have to be the biggest idol in the building. He just has to bring the biggest sense of joy. Light to carry, thoughtful in materials and, above all, big on blessings.

Go Green, Worship Clean 39% of the 1.88 lakh Ganpati idols immersed in Mumbai in 2025 were eco-friendly, while the remaining 61% were made of PoP (BMC data)

Each family in the building was given an opportunity to create a Ganesha with paper pulp.

— Aditi Desai, artisan

Visiting a beach after the visarjan is painful — it’s filled with idols with broken arms and legs.”

— Seeta Tiwari, Homemaker