Family grows Ganesh idol from wheat seeds for eco-friendly festival
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In Kalyan, Maharashtra, Pratiksha Marathe and her family have celebrated Ganesh Chaturthi for 31 years by growing an idol of Ganesha from wheat seeds instead of using clay or plaster.
Concerned by the number of idols left in nature after the festival’s traditional immersion, Pratiksha’s family began seeking sustainable alternatives in 1995. They initially tried natural clay, but ultimately adopted the “Vanaspati Ganesh” tradition inspired by the Manashakti Research Centre in Lonavala during the 2020 pandemic.
The process begins several days before the festival when Pratiksha’s father prepares a base of sifted mud on a plate. Pratiksha then draws an outline of Ganesha, and her mother carefully places wheat kernels along the lines. The family recites mantras and waters the seeds, nurturing them with sunlight. Over the next few days, the wheatgrass grows, gradually forming the shape of Ganesha.
Their two-day celebration includes traditional prayers, homemade sweets, and a symbolic immersion of a supari (areca nut) instead of an idol. The grown wheatgrass is then harvested and shared as prasad, a blessed offering, and the mud is reused or added to houseplants. The family has also extended their sustainability efforts to decorations, replacing thermocol with cardboard and paper.
This practice reflects their belief that festivals can be joyful and environmentally responsible, connecting the celebration with values of gratitude and empathy.
