For the First Time in Gujarat: Eco-Friendly Ganesh Idols Made from Cow Dung by AMC
Ahmedabad takes a green leap ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 as the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) launches eco-friendly Ganesh idols made from indigenous cow dung. These idols, crafted from dung sourced from AMC’s cattle shelters in Bakrol and Danilimda, are now available for public purchase both offline and online.
Citizens can buy these idols at various civic centres like ward offices, gardens, food courts, and the Sabarmati Riverfront, or order through major e-commerce platforms like Flipkart and Amazon. Prices for the idols range from ₹300 to ₹600 depending on size and design, and puja kits will also be available alongside.
Inspired by RRR and Vocal for Local: An Ayurvedic, Eco-Conscious Initiative
According to Standing Committee Chairman Devang Dani and Deputy Municipal Commissioner Mirant Parikh, this initiative aligns with PM Modi’s “Vocal for Local” and RRR (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) concept. AMC has partnered with the startup ‘Vav Nandi Panchgavya’, which specializes in cow dung products, to promote sustainable celebrations.
The startup has committed to providing 500 Ganesh idols free of cost to AMC. Additionally, AMC will supply raw cow dung material for idol-making, which the startup will convert into handcrafted Ganesh idols for public sale.
These idols will also be available at on-ground stalls across high-footfall areas of Ahmedabad. Vehicles branded as “Gau-Rath” will be deployed to enable distribution across neighborhoods, making it easier for citizens to access the eco-friendly idols.
Ganesh Idols Embedded with Medicinal Seeds, WhatsApp Orders Coming Soon
Each idol will include medicinal plant seeds like neem, bael, jamun, and tulsi, promoting the idea of “visarjan to nav-srijan” (immersion to regeneration). Once immersed at home or in gardens, these seeds can germinate, turning a spiritual ritual into an act of environmental restoration.
To ease the ordering process, AMC will soon release a dedicated WhatsApp number for booking the idols directly.
In contrast to traditional POP (Plaster of Paris) idols, which are chemical-laden and pollute rivers during immersion, these cow dung idols biodegrade naturally and support aquatic life. Ingredients like rice flour and wheat flour added to the idols serve as food for aquatic organisms, enhancing the ecosystem.
Monthly Sabarmati Aarti and Diya Festival with 2 Lakh Cow-Dung Lamps
Taking this spiritual-environmental fusion further, AMC will now organize monthly aarti rituals on every Vad Bij (second day of the waning moon) at the Sabarmati Riverfront near Jagannath Temple. These events will feature lighting of 1 to 2 lakh eco-friendly diyas made from cow dung, creating a serene and sustainable festive atmosphere.
