Family in Khammam makes Ganesh idols with cow dung

A family in Khammam has crafted eco-friendly Ganesh idols with cow dung, clay and natural colours, drawing strong response from devotees. Led by priest Arutla Srinivasa Charyulu, the family sold 500 idols, highlighting both tradition and sustainability in Vinayaka Navaratri celebrations

Khammam: Promoting eco-friendly Ganesh idols has been in vogue for some time. Taking it a step further, a family in Khammam has come up with a more holistic and sacred approach — crafting Ganesh idols with cow dung and natural colours.

Priest Arutla Srinivasa Charyulu, who runs the Sri Venkateshwara Goshala at Tekulapalli near Khammam, conceived the idea. His family members Suprasanna, Sriram and others are actively involved in making the idols.

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In Hinduism, cow dung is considered sacred and is used in rituals such as hawan and yagna to purify surroundings and invite positive energy. “Making Ganesh idols with cow dung makes Vinayaka Navaratri celebrations more meaningful,” Srinivasa Charyulu said.

Speaking to Telangana Today, he said this was the first time they had experimented with such idols, and the response from devotees was overwhelming. Around 500 idols were sold, with one devotee from Vijayawada alone purchasing 100.

Each idol of one-foot height requires about half a kilogram of cow dung. Sawdust and multani mitti (Fuller’s Earth) are mixed with cow dung to give the idols firmness. Each idol costs Rs 100, he explained.

After Vinayaka Navaratri, devotees can immerse the idol in a pot of water at home. The water, enriched with nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, can be used to nourish plants, Srinivasa Charyulu added.

He started the Goshala in 2009 by rescuing nine cows. Since then, about 1,000 cows have been distributed to farmers. His family has also experimented with eco-friendly products like cow dung rakhis during Raksha Bandhan, which received good response. Items like incense sticks, pain balm made with panchagavya (five cow products), and natural phenyl are also produced at the Goshala.