Bappa’s homes go plastic-free this time

While Ganpati idols have taken the eco-friendly way over the last few years, this year, the Ganpati décor is also going the same way. After the plastic ban in the state, thermocol makhars have given way to various eco-friendly options and Ganpati mandals, colleges as well as families are using materials like bricks, wood and more in their decorations.
The city’s popular Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal has maintained an eco-friendly route of using wood for many years and other mandals are following suit. The Navgrah Mitra Mandal near Shaniwarwada is one such place. The mandal has constructed a replica of the Lotus Temple this time. “We have replaced thermocol with sunboard. We are using rubber like what is used in shoes, to give the impression of bricks and silicone, instead of using Plaster of Paris for moulding,” shares Ajay Sharma, who has designed the mandal.
When it comes to implementing a good practice, colleges are not left behind. Many colleges welcome Bappa and the festival is celebrated in a big way by the staff and students together. At CHASA IDT, students from different communities unite to help with decorations and make sure that the environment isn’t affected in any way. “Everything from the decorations to the Ganpati idol is eco-friendly this year. The interior design students are making a replica of Shaniwarwada using bricks and sand while the fashion design students are designing clothes with historic significane, that would be displayed on mannequins at the venue,” shares Amita Arun Nikalje, a third-year fashion design student at the institute.

If you are still struggling to find the best décor to welcome Bappa, you need to head to Tulshibaug immediately. The area is a crowd puller when it comes to shopping for decorations and the streets are full of vendors selling cloth flowers, metal crowns and jewels to place on the Ganesh idol. Rahul Mujumale, one of the stall owners, says, “The most common buys are cloth flowers and frames made of foam, wood and sequinned cloth.”
I am assissting Nitin Desai, who has designed the structure for the mandal. We have largely used wood and fibre for the setup, with plaster of paris for finishing touches. The fibre has been used in such a way that the structure can be dismantled and assembled again for later use.
-Gauresh Gadgai
Hutatma Babugenu Mandal Trust
Shreemant Dagdusheth Halwai Sarvajanik Ganpati Mandal- Wood, lighting
Hutatma Babugenu Mandal Trust- Wood, Fibres, Plaster of Paris(mostly avoided)
Pics: Shashank Sane