Ganeshotsav
Uniting Hindus, Igniting spirit of Dharma!
Ganeshotsav
Uniting Hindus, Igniting spirit of Dharma!
Ganeshotsav is a festival celebrated with much pomp and zeal across the nation. While families have celebrated Ganeshotsav at home for ages, public Ganeshotsav celebration has an interesting connection with India’s freedom struggle. The doyen of Swarajya, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak, is credited with popularising public worship of Shri Ganesh ji on Ganesh Chaturthi. He used it to garner public support for the freedom struggle, and more importantly, to obtain the spiritual strength that this movement required.
However, numerous malpractices have become attached to Ganeshotsav in the decades since independence. The Hindu Janajagruti Samiti is striving to eradicate these malpractices. The Samiti continues to organise awareness campaigns and encourage Ganeshotsav mandals to celebrate Ganeshotsav in a spiritual manner. Public Ganeshotsav was instrumental in obtaining the Swarajya (Self Rule), and now it is our time to convert this Swarajya to Surajya.
Clay Ganesha – Eco friendly Ganesha
Dissolves in water and turns into mud, doesn’t block streams in the river bed
Does not pollute the water, harmless to human health and aquatic life forms
Spiritually purifies the water benefitting the people and the environment
Anti-Ganeshotsav Propaganda
Papier-mâché (paper pulp idols)
CLAIM
Paper pulp idols are eco-friendly
FACT
The NGT (National Green Tribunal) says idols made of paper pulp cause pollution and harm the environment
Paper pulp absorbs oxygen from water and emits methane gas which is harmful to living beings.
Lignin compounds in the paper increase the biological oxygen demand which is detrimental to aquatic life.
The paper pulp disintegrates into tiny pieces which are again harmful to aquatic life.
Paper Pulp Ganesha idols are harmful, Don’t use them !
Alternative ways of immersing idols
CLAIM
Some NGOs and environmentalists claim that immersing the idols in rivers causes water pollution and advocate the following alternatives to idol immersion
Immersing idols in portable artificial tanks
Donating Shri Ganesha idol to these NGOs or govt.
Dissolving in ammonium bicarbonate
FACT
Ganesh Idols are are taken out from the artificial tanks and then unceremoniously dumped into rivers
Immersion has spiritual benefits, which are absent when the idol is dissolved in chemicals
To donate or to accept a Deity’s idol is a grave insult to Deities, for we humans do not have the capability to give or accept Deities in donation
Immerse the Ganesha Idol in flowing water as per Dharmashastras
Two-faced environmentalists
This particular breed of environmentalists is found in deep slumber throughout the year and awakens to sound alarm bells only during Hindu festivals. During Ganeshotsav, these environmentalists feel greatly concerned about water pollution.
I Pledge To…
Bring home a Ganesha idol of clay and natural colours
Not install Ganesha idols in weird forms and huge sizes
Wear traditional attire and play sattvik bhajans and chants
Immerse Ganesha idol in flowing water as per Dharmashastra
Protest lawfully against the people who denigrate Shri Ganesha
Become a true Ganesha Bhakta, devote an hour every day to turn Swarajya to Surajya
Hindu Janajagruti Samiti’s campaign to preserve sanctity of Ganeshotsav
Awareness among Ganesh Idol makers and Ganeshotsav mandals to produce clay idols
Lectures & special discussions to create public awareness about ideal Ganeshotsav
Youth oriented social media awareness campaigns to counter anti-Hindu propaganda
Posters, exhibition, distribution of pamphlets with spiritual and scriptural information
Memoranda to Govt officials to ban adharmik artificial tanks and idol donation drives
HJS sought NGT and Pollution Control Board reports on so called eco-friendly idols
HJS has been at the forefront of the fight to bring a ban on PoP idols since 2002
HJS volunteers assist devotees and police administration for peaceful immersion of idols
HJS volunteers have succeeded in getting people to opt for sattvik immersion methods
View Gallery
Stop disrespect of Shri Ganesha
This picture has been published only to show what denigration means and not for hurting religious sentiments of anyone