Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Communities Adopt Clay Idols and On-Site Immersion
Some communities are changing how they celebrate the Ganesha festival.
They are choosing idols made from clay instead of materials such as plaster of Paris.
They are also using natural colours.
After the festival, the idols are immersed at the same place where they were installed.
This means they do not need to be taken to a lake or another water body.
A community in Manikonda has followed this method for eight years.
An association in Neredmet has used clay idols since 2003.
The organisers say they want to honour Ganesha while causing less harm to the environment.
Communities in Manikonda, Neredmet, Nagole and Saroornagar are using clay idols and on-site immersion.
A Manikonda apartment community has followed the practice for eight years, dissolving its idol in a rainwater harvesting pit.
Ghana Friends Association in Neredmet has used clay idols and natural colours since 2003.
Nagole’s Tiranga Youth Association installed a 72-foot idol made from natural materials at an estimated cost of ₹50 lakh.
Organisers say the initiatives aim to preserve Ganesha celebrations while reducing pollution linked to conventional immersion.
- Who
- Apartment residents and neighbourhood associations in Manikonda, Neredmet, Nagole and Saroornagar.
- What
- They are installing clay idols, using natural colours and immersing the idols on site.
- When
- The practices have continued for periods ranging from four years to 23 years; the Neredmet idol is scheduled for immersion on September 26 after 13 days of worship.
- Where
- Manikonda, Deen Dayal Nagar in Neredmet, Nagole and Saroornagar.
- Why
- To reduce pollution and environmental impact associated with conventional idol immersion while continuing religious celebrations.
- Manikonda practice
- A clay idol has been installed and immersed in a rainwater harvesting pit within the apartment premises for eight years.
- Neredmet tradition
- Ghana Friends Association has used clay idols and promoted natural colours since 2003.
- Neredmet idol
- The association installed a 30-foot Kurma Avatar idol, worshipped for 13 days before on-site immersion.
- Nagole idol
- Tiranga Youth Association installed a 72-foot Shri Ashta Siddhi Mahaganpati idol using grass, wood, Ganga clay and watercolours.
- Nagole cost
- The idol’s construction was estimated at around ₹50 lakh.
- Nagole attendance
- Organisers expect around 10,000 devotees daily for darshan.
- Saroornagar practice
- Sri Vigneshwara Youth Association has used clay idols and conducted on-site immersion for four years.