The Significance of Turmeric and Clay: Why Gowri Ganesha Is More Than Just a Festival
The Significance of Turmeric and Clay: Why Gowri Ganesha Is More Than Just a Festival
Gowri Ganesha is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrated with great enthusiasm, particularly in the southern Indian states.
Ever wondered why the Ganesha Chaturthi excitement kicks off a day earlier in places like Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh? Why do we see families bringing home a beautiful gowri idol made of turmeric paste, just before the big fella, Lord Ganesha, arrives? You’re not alone. Many of us, living in the hustle of a modern city, sometimes feel a little disconnected from the rituals we grew up with. We’re all trying to balance our traditions with a more conscious, modern lifestyle. We ask ourselves: How do we celebrate without generating a ton of waste? How do we keep our kids connected to their roots without it feeling like a chore?
This is where the story of the ganesh gowri festival gets really interesting, especially the part about turmeric and clay. It’s not just about a puja; it’s a masterclass in sustainability, circular economy, and fair trade, lessons passed down through generations.
It All Starts with Turmeric and Clay
The festival is a celebration of two divine entities: Goddess Gowri (Parvati), the mother of Ganesha, and Lord Ganesha himself. Gowri arrives first, a day before her son, to bless her devotees. Traditionally, her idol is made from a simple mixture of turmeric powder and water. Think about that for a second. A deity, revered for her power and grace, is represented by a biomaterial that’s not just natural but also has medicinal properties.
This tradition is a beautiful example of our ancestors practicing what we now call a green economy. The gowri idol, made from turmeric and clay, is a testament to this. It’s a reminder that true prosperity comes from working with nature, not against it. In our home, we now make a point to use organic, fair-trade turmeric for the idol. It’s a small change, but it means we are not only honouring the goddess but also supporting farmers who use sustainable practices and get a fair price for their crops.
For the ganesh gowri festival, the focus on natural materials is paramount. Families are increasingly choosing to make the Ganesha idol at home with local clay or to buy eco-friendly idols from local artisans. This simple act reduces the use of Plaster of Paris (PoP), which pollutes water bodies during immersion and harms aquatic life. Instead, a clay idol dissolves back into the earth, just like it came from it. It’s the ultimate upcycle.
A Feast for the Eyes and the Planet
The preparations for this festival go beyond just the idols. The entire house gets a makeover. In the past, this meant buying new, sometimes mass-produced, items. But with a new consciousness, we’re seeing people embrace a more mindful approach. This is where our range of lifestyle durable products fits perfectly into the picture.
Take tableware, for instance. Instead of using disposable plates and cups for the feast, people are opting for reusable, ceramic or handcrafted stoneware. Imagine serving the traditional modak and holige on a beautiful, hand-painted ceramic plate. This not only elevates the dining experience but also helps in reducing carbon footprint and conserving resources. We’ve seen a lot of our customers tell us how our handcrafted tableware has become a conversation starter during the festivities. They love that each piece tells a story of its own, crafted by an artisan who is part of a fair-trade network.
Gowri ganesha festivities are also a perfect time to embrace upcycling. Those old glass bottles? They can be transformed into beautiful vases for fresh flowers. The leftover fabric scraps? They can be used to make vibrant buntings or gift wraps. It’s about getting creative and giving new life to things we already have.
Bringing the Garden Inside: The New Pooja Room
The pooja room is the heart of the home during the ganesh gowri festival. Traditionally, it’s decorated with fresh flowers and leaves. We’re seeing a new trend now—integrating home and office planters into the decor. Instead of just flowers, people are using living plants to adorn the space.
This is a beautiful way to bring climate action into our homes. Our self-watering pots and planters are a great example. They help conserve water, a precious resource, while keeping the plants healthy and vibrant. You can use these planters to create a living ‘mandap’ for your gowri ganesh celebrations. This practice not only makes the space look more serene and beautiful but also improves air quality and creates a healthier environment. The turmeric and clay idols, when immersed in a pot of water, can even provide nutrients for the plant, completing a full circle of reuse.
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Multicolor Light
Multicolor Light
Weaving in Meaningful Gifting
Gifting is a huge part of the festivities. And just like everything else, this has also seen a shift. Instead of generic gifts, people are now looking for thoughtful, sustainable options. A fair-trade, handcrafted brass cup or mug, for instance, makes for a perfect gift. It’s not just a product; it’s a piece of art that supports a community of artisans and aligns with the principles of a green economy.
Our curated gift sets, which include items like ceramic storage jars for prasad and hand-carved wooden platters for sweets, have been a hit. These aren’t just things you use once a year. They are durable, reusable products that become a part of your everyday life. This is the essence of true sustainability—buying less but buying better.
The ganesh gowri festival reminds us that celebrating our heritage and embracing a modern, conscious lifestyle aren’t mutually exclusive. The gowri idol, born from the earth and returning to it, shows us the way. By choosing natural materials, supporting fair trade, and reusing durable products, we’re not just celebrating a festival. We’re weaving a better, more sustainable future, one conscious choice at a time. It’s an honour to be part of your celebrations and to help you make them more meaningful.
Visit eha’s range of sustainable tableware to choose, made with biocomposite materials using crop-waste such as rice husk, bamboo fibers and coffee husk.
If you are looking at developing new range of earth friendly gifting speak to experts at Mynusco.
