As Mumbai embarks on its highly anticipated Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, a significant shift towards eco-friendly practices is evident across the city. In recent years, environmental concerns have prompted numerous sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandals to adopt sustainable approaches, moving away from traditional practices to embrace greener alternatives.
Among the prominent examples of this shift is the Mumbai Cha Peshwa, also known as Vile Parle Cha Peshwa, located in the bylanes of Vile Parle (E). Renowned for its creative themes and eco-conscious approach, this year’s Balgopal Mitra Mandal is championing the cause of cybercrime awareness with their idol, themed ‘Agla Number Aapka Hai’ (Next Number Is Yours). Their 25-foot idol is crafted from recycled flowers and paper, collected over seven months from local households. “The flowers used in the idol were once part of home worship, collected door-to-door,” explained the mandal’s secretary, highlighting the initiative’s commitment to recycling and sustainability.
Another significant player in the eco-friendly movement is Girgaoncha Raja, which is celebrating its 97th year. Known for its towering eco-friendly idols, this year’s 25-foot statue weighs 3.5 tonnes and is entirely made from shaalu maati (white clay). The mandal, which has a history of innovative themes including sustainability and historical commemorations, has chosen to forego a specific theme this year to focus solely on environmental conservation. “Girgaoncha Raja has always adhered to eco-friendly practices. We are excited to reveal Bappa’s first look on Friday,” shared a mandal secretary.
The Panchganaga Sarvajanik Utsav Mandal, marking its 35th year, has chosen to address the issue of cloth waste. Known for using shaalu maati for their idols, this mandal also uses its platform to convey social messages. “This year, we aim to highlight the impact of cloth waste, which, unlike plastic, often goes unnoticed but significantly contributes to carbon emissions,” stated a member of the mandal. These initiatives underscore a growing trend in Mumbai towards environmentally responsible celebrations, reflecting a broader societal shift towards sustainability in festive practices.
