This year, because of the coronavirus outbreak, the Ganesh Chaturthi 2020 won't be celebrated on a large scale as it was celebrated before.
With Ganesh Chaturthi coming up, many people are making Ganesha idols using clay. The biggest advantage is that these idols can be dissolved in water at the time of visarjan (immersion) so one need not go to a river, they can immerse the idols in water tubs. Eco friendly Ganpati also minimizes the environmental damage.
Check out how to make Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols from Clay at home:
Materials Required:1. Clay2. Water3. Toothpicks 4. Knife or spoon
Method:
1. Prepare the dough by mixing water and clay.
2. Cut them into different pieces or body parts including torso, hands, ears, trunk, face and legs.
3. Take a separate piece to form the base of the idol. Flatten it and give it a square shape
4. Make a ball (torso) and join it with the base. Use 2 toothpicks to join or you can also use water drops.
5. Make the hands, legs and the trunk of the idol. For legs, make long rolls and flatten the edges outwards and stick it to the torso.
6. Take one roll and semi-wrap it around the idol from behind. For the right hand, flatten the edge and make it upward like a blessing. Carve the fingers on the palm. For the left hand, you can place a ladoo.
7. Take the head (round shape) and place it above the torso
8. Take another long roll (trunk) and make it curvy. Stick it at the centre of the head. You can either give a pointy look or tilt it towards the left hand which has a ladoo.
8. Make small size balls for eyes and ears. Shape the ears and eyes and stick them in the final step.
9. Once a rough layout of the ganpati idol is ready, use a knife or toothpicks to rule to make intricate dhoti designs. Use the extra clay to make the paghdi or stole. Place the idol in a steel bowl or on a banana leaf.
You can use organic colours or head to your kitchen and find turmeric and beetroot to extract colours with which you can paint the idol.