Pathways for Ganesha Idol Immersion
Process: A Review of Best Practices
by BBMP
C. B. Manjula, Sandhya Jayakumar and S. Gopalakrishnan
Abstract Ganesha Chaturthi is a grand festival celebrated all over India, in the month
of September, every year. Approximately Rs. 20,000/- crores of income is generated
throughout the country during the 10 days of festival. After the celebrations and
prayers, the Ganesha idols are immersed in nearby water bodies such as a river, lake
or ocean. The Ganesha idols are supposed to be made with clay, which is a degradable
material which can also be helpful for the growth of plants. But, for the purpose of
attracting the buyers, the Ganesha idol makers use Plaster of Paris (POP), and paints
mixed with hazardous chemicals and chromium, zinc, mercury and arsenic which are
non-degradable. An attempt has been made by the researchers to understand the steps
taken by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike [BBMP] for the smooth execution of
immersion process, effective waste management and promote the use of eco-friendly
Ganesha for worship in Bengaluru city.
Keywords Eco-friendly · Immersion · Plaster of Paris · Degradable · Hazardous ·
International Society of Waste Management · Air and water
1 History of Ganesha Chathurthi
Chathurthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the
occasion of the birth of Ganesha, a ten-day festival on the fourth day of Hindu
lunisolar calendar month of Bhadrapada. The festival is marked with the installation
of Ganesha clay idols, privately, at homes or publicly in huge pandals. Festivities
include chanting of mantras, prayers and offering prasadam from the daily prayers.
The festival ends on the day, wherein the idol is carried in a public procession, then
C. B. Manjula (B)
Department of Political Science, Bangalore University, Bengaluru, India
e-mail: manjula07mphil@gmail.com
S. Jayakumar
BBMP, Bengaluru, India
S. Gopalakrishnan
Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies [ICSSR MRP], Bengaluru, India
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. K. Ghosh (ed.), Solid Waste Policies and Strategies: Issues, Challenges
and Case Studies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1543-9_3
27
Process: A Review of Best Practices
by BBMP
C. B. Manjula, Sandhya Jayakumar and S. Gopalakrishnan
Abstract Ganesha Chaturthi is a grand festival celebrated all over India, in the month
of September, every year. Approximately Rs. 20,000/- crores of income is generated
throughout the country during the 10 days of festival. After the celebrations and
prayers, the Ganesha idols are immersed in nearby water bodies such as a river, lake
or ocean. The Ganesha idols are supposed to be made with clay, which is a degradable
material which can also be helpful for the growth of plants. But, for the purpose of
attracting the buyers, the Ganesha idol makers use Plaster of Paris (POP), and paints
mixed with hazardous chemicals and chromium, zinc, mercury and arsenic which are
non-degradable. An attempt has been made by the researchers to understand the steps
taken by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike [BBMP] for the smooth execution of
immersion process, effective waste management and promote the use of eco-friendly
Ganesha for worship in Bengaluru city.
Keywords Eco-friendly · Immersion · Plaster of Paris · Degradable · Hazardous ·
International Society of Waste Management · Air and water
1 History of Ganesha Chathurthi
Chathurthi, also known as Vinayaka Chavithi, is a Hindu festival celebrated on the
occasion of the birth of Ganesha, a ten-day festival on the fourth day of Hindu
lunisolar calendar month of Bhadrapada. The festival is marked with the installation
of Ganesha clay idols, privately, at homes or publicly in huge pandals. Festivities
include chanting of mantras, prayers and offering prasadam from the daily prayers.
The festival ends on the day, wherein the idol is carried in a public procession, then
C. B. Manjula (B)
Department of Political Science, Bangalore University, Bengaluru, India
e-mail: manjula07mphil@gmail.com
S. Jayakumar
BBMP, Bengaluru, India
S. Gopalakrishnan
Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies [ICSSR MRP], Bengaluru, India
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
S. K. Ghosh (ed.), Solid Waste Policies and Strategies: Issues, Challenges
and Case Studies, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1543-9_3
27