To save the environment, it is better to make Ganesha idol using environment friendly material to worship during Ganesha Chathurthi. Here I have used spices, dry fruits, and betel nut to make Ganesha, priest, person who is doing pooja, singer, trumpeter, and mridangam (drum) player. Adike Ganesha is sure to get a thumbs up during this festival season.
Materials required:
Round Betel Nuts
Cloves
Green Cardamoms / Choti Elaichi
Black Cardamom / Bada Elaichi
Cashew nuts halved
Pistachios shells
Licorice / Athimadhura
Kapok buds / Marathi Moggu
White gum / Fevicol
Fabric Paints
MSeal / Sealant
Two Cardboard Sheets
Varnish
Paint brushes
Satin ribbons
Method:
Prepare the MSeal and keep it aside. Keep a bit of sealant on a Betel nut and using gum stick the other Betel nut over it.
Stick Pistachio shells as Ears. Moti Elaichi as trunk. Cashew nut as hands and Green Cardamom as legs. Use a tiny bit of MSeal to stick them.
Draw jewelry, eyes, Yagnopavita (janivara, janiyu) using paints. Make a crown using paper or satin ribbon.
Stick a clove on the head of the priest. Draw the face.
Repeat the same for the rest of the characters.
Stick the Marathi Moggu near the mouth for the trumpeter and keep the Licorice piece in between the hands of the drummer. Using satin ribbons make head gear for the band members
After the paint dries, varnish the idols. Assemble them on the cardboard sheets. You can again use Mseal and gum to stick to the cardboard sheets.
Use a Pistachio shell as a tray and make small offerings like fruits and modak using Mseal and paint them. Arrange these trays in front of the Ganesha.
