Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Visakhapatnam Communities Prepare Eco-Friendly Ganesh Chaturthi Festival Celebrations
People in Visakhapatnam are getting ready for Ganesh Chaturthi.
Many groups are building colorful pandals and special Ganesh idols.
Some idols are being made with turmeric, glass bangles, wheat, or clay.
One turmeric idol is 15 feet tall and uses about 300 kilograms of turmeric rhizomes.
Another idol is 117 feet tall and uses about one crore tinted glass bangles.
Divi’s Laboratories gave away 5,000 clay idols for free.
Students and artists also distributed clay idols and held model-making workshops.
Officials encouraged people to choose clay idols to help protect the environment.
Visakhapatnam communities are preparing themed pandals and innovative Ganesh idols for Ganesh Chaturthi.
The Andhra Pradesh government declared free electricity for pandal organisers across the state.
An Old Gajuwaka team created a 15-foot idol using about 300 kilograms of dried turmeric rhizomes.
Organisers are also making large idols from tinted glass bangles and wheat grains.
Divi’s Laboratories and community groups distributed clay idols and promoted sustainable celebrations instead of plaster-of-Paris idols.
- Who
- Visakhapatnam communities, festival organisers, institutions, students, artists, Divi’s Laboratories, and local officials.
- What
- Preparations are underway for Ganesh Chaturthi, with communities promoting creative and eco-friendly celebrations.
- When
- The festival was scheduled for Monday, September 14, with some festivities continuing for 11 days.
- Where
- Visakhapatnam and surrounding communities in Andhra Pradesh, including Old Gajuwaka, Srinagar, Kurmannapalem, MVP Colony, and several other localities.
- Why
- Organisers are preparing for the festival, while officials and groups are encouraging clay idols and planet-friendly celebrations.
Eco-Friendly Celebrations
Plaster-of-Paris Idol Use
Preferred idol materials
Eco-Friendly Celebrations
Officials, schools, artists, and organisations encouraged communities to use clay idols as a more planet-friendly option.
Plaster-of-Paris Idol Use
The article says people were being discouraged from worshipping plaster-of-Paris idols, but it does not provide supporters’ arguments for using them.
Role of festival organisers
Eco-Friendly Celebrations
Organisers showcased idols made with turmeric, tinted glass bangles, wheat, and other creative materials while promoting sustainable celebrations.
Plaster-of-Paris Idol Use
Some festival organisers focus on elaborate and attention-grabbing displays to attract large numbers of devotees; the article does not say whether all such displays are eco-friendly.
- Festival
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Location
- Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Government support
- Free electricity was declared for pandal organisers across Andhra Pradesh.
- Turmeric idol
- A 15-foot idol used about 300 kilograms of dried turmeric rhizomes.
- Bangle idol
- A planned 117-foot idol incorporates approximately one crore tinted glass bangles.
- Clay idols distributed
- Divi’s Laboratories distributed 5,000 clay idols worth Rs 1.5 lakh free of cost.
- Environmental appeal
- Officials urged residents to choose clay idols instead of plaster-of-Paris idols.