Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Go green with your Ganpati decor this year

Ganesh Chaturthi brings people together and with all the sweets confectionery and bright blingy decorations the joy is shared by all But even with all the celebratory vibes your decor can go green with a sustainable paletteThis Ganesh Chaturthi design experts show you how to celebrate in a way thatrsquos beautiful festive and kind to the environment They outline creative alternatives to common nonecofriendly materials share fun DIY ideas for the whole family and offer tips on how to responsibly dispose of your decorations after the festivalGet ready to embrace a conscious celebration without compromising on the traditional aesthetic of this beloved festivalSustainable alternatives for traditional Ganpati deacutecorThe fine line between extravagance and environmental consciousness is often lost in the bustle of Indian festivities Our eyes are drawn to the chemical dyes the plaster of Paris POP idols the synthetic textures of the idolrsquos attire and the singleuse plastics in garlands and light decorations But as interior designer Punam Kalra creative director of Im the Centre for Applied Arts points out with a second glance well realize how quickly these items end up in landfills ldquoWe must lay a conscious eye on our every purchase and every festivity because this is what we pass on to the next generationrdquo says Kalra She shares three simple ways to be sustainable this yearChoose the idol wiselyOpt for a clay idol handmade by local artisans You can embrace its natural texture or colour it with organic dyes turmeric or vermillion Instead of idols stuffed with thermocol you can use plantable idols made with cocopeat and embedded with seeds and compost These idols can grow into a tree adding fresh varieties to your gardenCreate a natural backdropFor the backdrop add fresh greens with woven palm leaves or hanging banana leaves layered by cardboard or paperbased nameplates and cutoutsUse reusable materialsYou can also set up the throne for the idol with an antique brass platform flanked by handembroidered bolsters Using handdyed fabrics throughout the festive setup is another great option as you can store the ensemble for later use This helps cut down on shortterm purchases while building a sentimental piece of heirloomTraditional aesthetics with natural materialsWhile clothbased decorations seem like an obvious choice Kalra suggests thinking bigger by bringing in reclaimed silk tapestries or cotton voile to give materials a second lifeAdorn them with traditional flowers like jasmine marigold and lotus sourced from your backyard or terrace garden This allows for a zerowaste celebration as the debris can cycle back to the garden Get creative with layouts by experimenting with gridlike wall patterns floral arches or suspended canopies You can also include dried elements like bamboo screens as a backdrop and draw riceflourbased rangolis over them This sets a perfectly neutral setting for minimalist stylesDIY for the familyKalra explains ldquoInteractive elements connect across every generation bringing them together in a family gathering that Ganesh Chaturthi isrdquo She outlines a few ways to make decorating your home a family affair1 Get the whole family together to layer energyefficient LED lights along balconies and patios2 You can also add recycled glass lanterns as tabletops to keep conversations going3 Involve children in making handmade filigrees that complement the lighting elements4 Rekindle nostalgia by staging vintage artifacts on a pedestal and sharing their stories5 Talk about your grandmarsquos favourite brassware or the familyrsquos ancestral silverware by encasing them in a living room cabinetryMinimalist decorations maximum impactTo create a beautiful and festive atmosphere with minimal decorations stage the idol as the centrepiece and get creative with the layouts Create an amphitheatrelike setting with floor cushions and lowset seats to create an inviting atmosphereChoose natural fabrics like cotton linen and jute for cushion covers and dhurries Pair them with a woven mudda or a wooden chowkie to complete the organic aesthetic You can also reiterate your ties with nature by using botanical motifs in drapes and chinoiserie prints in tableware that complement the fresh flowers and greens As Kalra says Make the extravagance evident to the eye and make Ganesh Chaturthi a celebration to truly rememberLighting for ambianceBy choosing the right lighting you can highlight natural elements and create a festive yet sustainable ambiance says Akanksha Aggarwal founder of Exclusively Yours Instead of bright harsh lights opt for ambient lighting that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere Fairy lights LED candles and lamps made from recycled materials can be strategically placed to illuminate key areasShe lists three energyefficient lighting optionsLED lights and LED candlesYou can use them as fairy lights to outline your deacutecor or string them on balconies LED candles offer the warm glow of real candles without the fire hazard and many come with timers to save even more energyDecorative lampsChoose lamps made from recycled or natural materials like paper glass or bamboo These not only look beautiful but also add a unique ecofriendly touch to your home Placing them on tabletops or in corners can create a soft inviting ambianceDiyas and urlis with tea lightsTraditional clay diyas filled with oil or ghee are a classic way to light up your space You can also place them in a beautiful urli a decorative bowl with water and fresh flowers For a longerlasting cleaner burn use ecofriendly tea lights made from beeswax or soy waxPersonalised deacutecorIncorporate family heirlooms like traditional brass lamps old wooden artifacts or embroidered fabrics that have been passed down through generations Aggarwal also suggests using natural elements like potted plants and fresh flowers and a backdrop of natural materials handmade paper decorations or clay sculptures Involve every family member in creating the decorations to make the experience more meaningfulEnvironmentally responsible disposalChoose an idol made from a natural biodegradable material like clay shadu mati These idols dissolve easily in water without harming aquatic lifeAlternatives to traditional water immersionArtificial immersion tanks or tubs for home immersionUse a clean tub or large bucket for an immersion ceremony at home This method prevents water pollution and keeps the dissolved clay contained Afterward you can use the clayrich water to nourish your garden or potted plants as it provides valuable nutrients to the soilSeed GanpatiA seed Ganpati idol contains seeds embedded within the clay After a symbolic immersion at home you can place the dissolved idol water in a pot The seeds will sprout over time growing into a new plant and symbolizing life and rebirth This is a beautiful way to honour the festival and give back to natureReusing and repurposing decorationsReusable items can be donated to local NGOs or community centres for use in other festivals You can also get creative and repurpose items for your home Aggarwal recommends1 Fabric and drapes Use decorative fabrics and drapes as table runners cushion covers or to create new shopping bags2 Handmade paper decorations These can be used to make greeting cards gift tags or bookmarks3 Clay items Small clay pots or sculptures can be repainted and used as decorative pieces for your home or garden