Yes, you can make your own eco-friendly Ganesha idol at home

The Idol
Making a very personal idol that doesn’t cause any harm to the already over-burdened environment seems like just the thing we need this year. “If you are new to this, you can start with as small as a 6 inch idol. If you attempt a bigger size, the detailing could get a bit challenging,” she says. Amritha ordered her eco-friendly clay from Amazon. You can also get the regular air drying clay or the terracotta clay from a local potter or a stationary store. The rest of the tools can use be easily found at home: water, a toothpick, a pencil or even the tip of a pen! 

Here’s a step-by-step on making your own idol:
1.    Begin by mixing the clay and water to form a dough.
2.    Take a bit of the dough to make a firm base in either a square or a rectangle.
3.    Then take some more dough and form a spherical shape that tappers a little towards the top. Place this on the base and use water or a toothpick to attach the two. This will be the torso of the idol.

4.    Next, make the legs and hands. For the legs, use long rolls of dough. For the feet, attach smaller pieces and flatten them with water. You can then detail out the toes.

The Decoration
When asked about the styling, she says, “We are keeping it simple this year, by accessorising the idol with flowers, lamps and a bit of jewelry. The backdrop will have a cloth, banana leaves and artefacts that we already have at home”. Styling with products that don’t need to be thrown away also reduces your waste and makes for a smart choice. “You can also use organic paints to add colour to your idol and further elevate the look.”

The Immersion
The final day is the most challenging for everyone involved. People immerse their respective idols in the sea, gathered in groups. The sea looks like a water dump full of debris and the shore is in