Tollywood star Vijay Deverakonda has urged people to celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly manner by choosing clay and seed-based Ganesha idols to prevent pollution in urban centers and water bodies. Recently receiving a Vittana Ganapati (Seed Ganesha) idol from the Green India Challenge at his residence, the actor showcased the natural pot-based idol and encouraged the public to opt for sustainable alternatives ahead of the festival on September 14, 2026.
How Seed Ganesha Idols Work:
The Seed Ganesha initiative promotes idols manufactured using natural clay, cocopeat, and coconut fiber, embedded with seeds of native trees such as neem and tamarind. Explaining the mechanism, Vijay noted that after the puja, the idol can be immersed in soil right at home. The natural clay dissolves completely, allowing the embedded seeds to germinate into a plant that can subsequently be transplanted and nurtured, blending traditional devotion with active environmental stewardship.
Broadening the Movement for Sustainable Festivals:
Inspired by Telangana’s Haritha Haram program and launched in 2018, the Green India Challenge encourages citizens to plant three saplings, nurture them for three years, and inspire others to follow suit. The organization has actively appealed to households, housing societies, temples, and public pandal organizers to replace Plaster of Paris (PoP) and chemically painted idols with biodegradable clay and seed options to safeguard lakes, rivers, and local ecosystems.
