Nirmal: Clay idols may soon be replaced with idols made of cow dung. Lord Ganesha idols made with cow dung (Gomaya Ganesh) are gaining popularity as they are more eco-friendly than those made with clay.
Caretaker minister A. Indrakaran Reddy is promoting cow dung Ganesha idols and has distributed them to farmers and local people in the undivided Adilabad district.
Mr. Indrakaran Reddy has even coined a slogan, ‘Gomaya Ganapathulanu poojiddam…paryavarananni parirakshiddam’ (Worship Ganesha idols made of cow dung and protect the environment). He has also attended several pujas at pandals that featured Gomaya Ganesha idols. The minister said when immersed in tanks and agricultural wells, the cow dung idols would purify them. Besides, farmers can use the idols as organic fertiliser in their fields.
Mr Indrakaran Reddy and his family run a goshala from where they collect cow dung every day. This is for the first time that Gomaya Ganesh idols were installed in the pandals and distributed to people as being more sacred and more eco-friendly.
Mr. Reddy said the sanctity attached to the cow and its urine and dung, milk and butter has found mention in the Vedas. He added, “Lord Ganesha idols made of cow dung could clean polluted water bodies and tanks when immersed and kill harmful insects. The land would become fertile if cow dung was used as fertiliser.”
