Ganesha should be in our homes and hearts, not our lakes

No obstacle: Stage set to make fest eco-friendly
Deccan Herald

With raise in concern for environment on the eve of Ganesha festival, the sale of unpainted, eco-friendly Ganesha idols is picking up in the city markets.

Unpainted Ganesha idols, which are cheaper and environmental-friendly, have come in large numbers to the market this year and more devotees are also showing interest in buying them. However, the painted idols, which environmentalists term ‘hazardous’ to environment, are still very popular among the fans as they come in attractive colours and shapes.

Suresh, a shop owner at Malleshwaram Market, has sold around 50 unpainted idols till Saturday evening, while only 20 idols were sold last year. “The demand for unpainted ones are increasing among educated class and we may have to bring them in more numbers next year,” he added.

These idols, the sale of which was confined to only a few markets like K R Market, Mallehwaram, Vijayanagar, Yeshwanthpur and other markets, are now available in almost all places. Meanwhile, the city civic agencies have made elaborate arrangements for “safe” and “eco-friendly” way of immersing Ganesha. Besides setting up of mobile immersion tanks at designated places, BMP has spruced up Ganesha immersion Kalyanis (ponds) at Sankey tank, Ulsoor lake and Yediyur lake. BMP staff and local police will supervise the immersion process, with suitable barricades and security arrangements to help smooth movement of devotees at the entry and exit points. General public will be allowed to perform immersion till 11 pm, a BMP release said. BMP has also advised devotees not to immerse idols with toxic paints and drop the garlands and flowers in designated bins near the lake site.

Besides, mobile immersion tanks will be stationed at Netaji Sunashchandra Stadium near Saneguruvanahalli tank area, Vidyapeetha Circle, and near Koramangala BDA complex. Idols less than one-and-half foot in height, will be allowed to immerse in these tanks, which will be available from September 18 to 21.

Security

The City police has made elaborate security arrangements for the festival said, City Police Commissioner S Mariswamy. Apart from the jurisdictional police, 50 platoons of KSRP and City Armed Reserve Police would be deployed through out the City, he added.

Policemen have also been deployed in Siddapura, Ulsoor, Sankey tank and other lakes were many people are expected to participate in the immersion process, he said.

IMMERSION

Following agencies are going to bring mobile tanks to different areas to facilitate immersion of Gowri and Ganesha idols
*BMP tanks: Sep 18 to 21 - 9 am to 11 pm.
*BDA mobile tanks : Sept 18 to 25- 10 to 9 pm.
*Lake Development Authority mobile tanks: Sept 18- 3 pm to 11 pm.
*Immersion of idols can also be made at three lakes - Sankey, Ulsoor & Yediyurfrom Sept 18 to 21 - 9 am to 10 pm.