Go eco-friendly with Vinayaka idols that sprout

In a bid to ensure that upcoming Vinayaka Chaturthi celebrations that falls on September 2 is environment friendly and does not pollutethe waterbodies where the idols are immersed, four friends from Salem have taken a greeninitiative by producing seed-filled Vinayaka idols.

Two among of them, P Manikandan and R Balachandran from Salem, were in Vellore recently to promote their products. According to them, the idea was mooted to ensure that the idols, made of plaster of Paris and finished with paint, did not cause environmental pollution. Already in the business of making seed balls, Manikandan said that the idea is just an extension of working with nature.

Explaining their idea, Balachandran said, “The Vinayaka idols, which are six inches to slightly less than a foot, are made of clay and are filled with vegetable or flower seeds. The figurine is then placed inside a pot which comes along with the idol. Once the festival is over, the idol just needs to be watered. It will dissolve the clay, giving way for the seeds to sprout.”

Speaking to DT Next aboutthe project, another partner, Raghu said that the start-up was a result of four friends coming together. Last year they sold more than 3,000 figurines to places as far away as Mumbai and Bengaluru, and this year they have planned to sell a minimum of 5,000 units.

Asked about cost, Manikandan said, “The six-inch figurine costs Rs 247, with an additional charge of Rs 60 for courier, while the bigger model costs Rs 447 along with Rs 75 for sending it.”

Speaking whether if their sales had any impact, they said, “We received feedback that the seeds have sprouted and flowers have started to bloom.”

Seed Ganesa, their company based in Peddanayakanpalayam, also provides idols to locals who want to celebrate an environment friendly Vinayaka Chaturthi this year.