GANESH CHATURTHI is just round the corner to be celebrated on September 1. Along with the religious fervour, there is need to minimize environmental damage during the festival by promoting eco-friendly practices.

We need to do the following while celebrating the festival.

• Promoting the use of unpainted clay idols of Lord Ganesha
• Using idols of small size.
• Using the natural dyes for painting the idols
• Ensuring the proper immersion of idols and disposal of other material used during the festival.
• Promoting group singing of devotional songs rather than loud playing of CDs in temples and at Pendals.

Since Lord Ganesha stands for wisdom, it is essential for the devotees to revisit the meaning and essence of wisdom on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi. Wisdom is the human potential or ability to discern what is true, good, right, universal, lasting or common welfare. This potential is to be developed with effort and discerning about every act performed by us. Wisdom can also be acquired by imbibing the values propounded by the sages, thinkers, philosophers and great persons. And, being eco-friendly is a wise act; it’s bound to please Lord Ganesha!