Workshop on making clay Ganesha idols to be held in Mysuru

‘Parisara Balaga’, an environmental organisation, will be conducting a workshop on making clay Ganesha idols for school children at Sri Basaveshwara Yoga Park in Alanahalli, here on August 22 and 23.

Skilled artisans will train the children in making clay Ganesha idols from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm on both the days, the organisation’s founder member Parashurame Gowda said in a statement here on Wednesday. The workshop is being held especially to create awareness among homemakers and children.

‘Parisara Balaga’, which had organised such workshops in previous years as well, will be conducting this year’s workshop in association with the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board, Regional Office-1, Mysuru City, and H.V. Rajeev Sneha Balaga, Mysuru.

“Immersing painted Ganesha idols made of Plaster of Paris (PoP) into lakes, ponds, and rivers is dangerous to the environment. PoP, made from gypsum, contains calcium sulfate hemihydrate, which does not dissolve in water and has a lot of harmful effects. The colours used on painted idols contain harmful chemicals such as lead, mercury, and cadmium, which poison the water when idols are immersed. This polluted water poses serious health risks to both humans and animals,” said the statement issued by ‘Parisara Balaga.’

“Therefore, Ganesha idols should be made using clay, wheat, rice flour, turmeric, or jiggery — all natural materials,” the statement added.

While students from JSS institutions, Mahaveer Jain Vidyalaya, Viveka Vidyalaya, Eshwar Vidyalaya, and Alanahalli Government Higher Primary School will participate in this workshop, others can also register the names of their children aged above 10, and bring them to the workshop.

More information can be obtained by either contacting Gantaiah at 9538732852, or Bhagya Shankar at 8867481635.