Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols Made from Cow Dung Gain Popularity in Hyderabad

In Hyderabad, Telangana, eco-friendly Ganesh idols crafted from cow dung are gaining popularity. This initiative promotes greener celebrations and eco-conscious practices during traditional festivals.

About the Initiative

Srinivasa Prasad, an artisan and founder of the initiative, explained, “We started making these idols primarily to fund our Gaushala. We have been making Ganesh idols for the past 10 years. We send these to Andhra Pradesh, Ahmedabad, and other places. Cow dung has antibacterial and other properties. We also provide job opportunities to women here and support women’s empowerment. We make around 30 products from cow dung, including these Ganesh idols.”

Idol Making Process

Prasad detailed the process, saying, “The cow dung is first dried thoroughly, then powdered and mixed with another material called lasoda. It is placed into a mould and later decorated with colours. The dung takes around 15-20 days to dry, usually done in the summer.”

These idols are very stable and won’t break easily. They are made up to 2 feet tall and priced from Rs. 100 to Rs. 1500.

Environmental Benefits

Unlike traditional eco-friendly Ganesh idols made from mud, cow dung idols offer additional benefits. The carbon content in cow dung enriches the soil. Once the festival concludes, these idols dissolve in water without causing pollution and break down naturally, providing nutrients to plants.

Customer Experience

A customer named Jyothi shared her experience, saying, “We came here for some cow dung and discovered that they make many products from it. It is very attractive. We bought some products today and hope they continue their work.”