Eco-friendly idols gaining traction in city

Prayagraj: The demand for locally made eco-friendly idols of Ganesha and Lakshmi have enhanced manifold in the Sangam city with potters working overtime to meet the requirement.
Amid a craze for eco-friendly celebrations, most potters have shunned the use of Plaster of Paris, thermocol (polystyrene) and chemical paints, and are instead using clay and husk. Moreover, potters are using homemade colours for painting the idols.
“The demand for idols is far more this time as compared to previous years. We are not interested in finding out the reason and more concerned of the fact that this increased demand is helping us financialy,” said Ghanshyam Kuhar, an artisan of Baluaghat locality.
The best part is, retailers are demanding more decorative idols and that too bigger in size which fetches us handsome profit, he added. The potters are using bio-degradable materials like cow dung, lac, coconut shells and jute, clay and natural colours. Pointing out that it is an easy process to sculpt an eco-friendly idol, local sculptors claim they have been making idols of other gods and goddesses like lord Hanuman, Durga and Saraswati too. Moreover, these idols are reasonably priced too. Ranging from Rs 20 (per pair of Ganesha and Luxmi) to Rs 150 and 250, these idols are giving a tough competition to the one brought from neighbouring markets like Chunar, which is famous for making idols of ceramic. These idols are liked by both locals and officials of the UP Pollution Control Board. While locals are happy that there is something to fit their pockets officials are happy that this reduces water and soil pollution.
“This is a really good sign for the city as people have become quite aware of eco-friendly idols which will bring down the level of pollution,” said director UPPCB, Prayagraj, RK Singh.