Biggest eco-friendly Ganpanti adorns Goregaon

Biggest eco-friendly Ganpanti adorns Goregaon

Besides the flat 50% on going sales, it’s the biggest eco-friendly Ganpanti idol at Oberoi Mall, Goregaon that is contributing in drawing people towards it in crowds

By Kunal Chonkar

Posted On Wednesday, August 26, 2009 at 04:31:10 PM

He is seven and half feet tall. His stature commands respect. One look at him and he is sure to make you fall heads over heels for him. That’s the customary scenario at the Oberoi Malls, Goregaon. Devotees are thronging the mall from all nook and crannies of the city to see the deity of the season; the most celebrated and sorted elephant-headed lord, Ganesha. For the first time, the mall has a Ganesha figurine placed in its lobby. The idol was unveiled on 23rd August, the opening day of the festival in front of hundreds of curious onlookers. This figurine is made from paper pulp and natural gum and is a customised model. Moulded on special request by Sadguru Shri Aniruddha Upasana Trust (SSAUT) for the city based art designer Nitin Desai. As the city bustles with glamour and glitter over their large Plaster Of Paris (POP) idols, the management at the mall are content with the eco-friendly lord. “We are very fortunate to have the city’s largest eco-friendly Ganesha sitting with us. Over the years many mandals have strutted about their colossal idols but the fact remains that it is these models that pollute the sea,” says the manager, Oberoi Malls. The genesis of the concept dates back to 2002, when the volunteers of SSAUT, used to re-immerse the litter of the half broken and defaced idols on the 12th day of the festival. Over a period of time, reducing the pollution level in the sea became a core importance for the group. “After contemplating on how to reduce the pollution level in the city waters. We decided to make special idols that were made of paper pulp and packed by natural binding gum. Even the colours are pidlite certified non-toxic colours,” informs Maheshsinh Zante, CEO of SSAUT. The models took time to get familiar in the city. From selling about 300 idols in their first year, the group has now managed to sell 6000 figurines in the state. Many of which now are part of celebrity’s celebration as well. From the prominent Marathi stage actor Mohan Wagh to the legendary set designer of ‘Devdas’ Nitin Desai’s Ganpati are now going natural. “This year we have designed a figurine for Nitin Desai. The rationale was of spreading awareness and making everyone realise the importance of ecological consciousness. Looking at this model people might change their approach and take small steps in saving our planet,” hopes Haresh Mahajan, project in-charge. The trend of taking POP Ganesha idols seems to have undergone a sea change and the group might see an increase in demand by next year. The Chitale family is one such family who has taken a vow to go green-way for the next year Ganesh Chaturthi festival. “This year we have a POP idol as we could not differentiate between POP and the eco friendly one. In 2010, he will certainly go for eco friendly Ganpanti idol.” assures Manmohan Chitale.