In 2005, 335 idols were produced, which increased to 3000 later, and today the number ranges from 6000 to 7000 annually. In 2017, around 6500 such idols were installed in various households. These idols have not only been popular in India, but the devotees located in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Middle East have also carried them home to worship and pray.


The pages of Ramnaam books are soaked in water and converted into paper pulp. This pulp thus obtained is mixed with white ink and tree-based gum. This mixture is kneaded uniformly and is placed on the mould to give it an appropriate shape and form of an idol. Once dried, it is coloured using food-based dyes. These idols, on immersion, completely disintegrate in water and do not pollute the ecosystem.

Moreover, our organisation, ‘Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation’ had the opportunity to patent this novel method of producing an idol. However, the organization refused to do so, thus keeping it open to the public to create awareness about the environment. With each passing year, the response to this initiative has been overwhelming.

Why has the need for an Eco-friendly Ganesh idol arisen today? 


In earlier times, these idols  were made of biodegradable substances such as wood or loose soil. However, today, these - are made using Plaster of Paris and synthetic colours, which are toxic to human and do not break down easily in water. The remnants of the idols that are found lying undissolved prove   harmful to  the environment. The chemical substances used too, make the water increasingly acidic endangering the Marine ecology of the water bodies.  Moreover, if such water is used in daily life, it makes human susceptible to diseases.

In order to avoid these ill-effects and safeguard the environment, Sadguru Shri Aniruddha Upasana Foundation with its sister organisations initiated the project of making eco-friendly Ganesh idols. These idols completely dissolve in water further preventing the spread of harmful effects. 



Since 2005, the Eco-friendly Ganesh idols  are being made by ‘Aniruddha’s Universal Bank of Ramnaam’ and ‘Aniruddha’s Aadhesh Pathak’, under the guidance of Sadguru Aniruddha. The paper pulp from the Ramnaam books which are written and deposited by Shraddhavans from all over is used to prepare these idols. Every paper that goes in the making has the ‘Ram Naam’ inked on it.


Every year, ‘Ganeshotsav’, the festival celebrated on the  birthday of Lord Ganesh,  is widely celebrated with euphoria, not only in India but also across the world. The Lord Ganesha is being revered as the deity of intellect and wisdom and is known as the patron of all arts. Ganesh idols, which are brought home on Ganesh Chaturthi, the fourth day of Bhadrapada (a month of the Hindu calendar) are worshipped with great fervor and love. Prayers are chanted to invoke the blessings of the Lord as well as Aartis or Bhajans are also sung with the offerings of specially prepared food called as Naivedya or Prasad.   At the end of the festival (Punarmilap),  devotees  reluctantly bid farewell to Ganapati Bappa with a heavy heart wherein the idols are immersed in the nearby water body such as river, lake, sea or artificial pond, However, have we ever thought of what exactly happens after the immersion? Does the idol completely dissolve in water? “Undoubtedly No!” 



So what could be the permanent or environment-friendly solution to this? The answer is the  ‘Eco- Friendly Ganesh’.





‘Be the change, Go for eco-friendly Ganesh’
A workshop was conducted by a team from Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation, Mumbai, on ‘Eco-friendly Ganesh Idol making ’ for students from classes Std V to X on 21st August, 2016 in the School Foyer. The children were instructed to create beautiful Ganesha idols from bio-degradable items which included edible colours, white powder, paper pulp, edible gum and moulds.


Eco Friendly Ganapati Distribution


Eco-Friendly Ganesh idols for the Ganpati festival is gaining ground rapidly and increasing number of people are realizing its significance and opting for it. ‘Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation’ along with its sister organisation ‘Shree Aniruddha Aadesh Pathak’ started preparing Ganesh idols using paper pulp and other biodegradable material as an alternative to harmful chemical Plaster of Paris. This project was initiated under the guidance of Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu in the year 2004. 

The Project: Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols ready for distribution Eco-Friendly Ganesh idols for the Ganpati festival is gaining ground rapidly and increasing number of people are realizing its significance and opting for it. ‘Shree Aniruddha Upasana Foundation’ along with its sister organisation ‘Shree Aniruddha Aadesh Pathak’ started preparing Ganesh idols using paper pulp and other biodegradable material as an alternative to harmful chemical Plaster of Paris. 

This project was initiated under the guidance of Sadguru Aniruddha Bapu in the year 2004. Latest Updates: This year, over 2000 eco-friendly Ganpati idols were prepared in Mumbai. Distribution of these idols was done at New English school, Bandra and at Happy Home, Khar.


Workshop on making of Ganesh idols out of paper pulp was conducted by at . 15 volunteers participated.

Eco friendly Ganesh Idol making workshop
Shraddhavans at Eco friendly Ganesh Idol making workshop