Ganesh idols from clay - my last years doing
Ganesh Chaturthi is just around the corner, and if you are planning to invite Bappa into your home, you would be thinking of buying an idol. Being the environmentalist that you are or should be, you can make your own little Ganesha idol from natural clay to not harm the environment during the visarjan. Idols found in the market can harm the environment as they pollute the water when they are immersed.
Okay, what would we need?
· Natural clay,
· Water,
· Paint of your choice, and
· A knife
How shall we make it?
Start with mixing the natural clay in the water. This would form the dough that would be made into the idol. Make sure that the clay and water ratio is 60:40.
Split the dough into four chunks, out of which one can be a bit smaller.
Take the largest chunk and start molding into the shape that forms the lower part of the abdomen and legs of a sitting Ganesha. You can use the below image for reference.
Now take the second chunk and roll its lower part into a round shape to make his round belly and Ganesha's hands and chest from the upper part. The right hand should be in an aashirwaad position and the left one should be flat for keeping a modak on it.
Now take the third chunk and make Ganesha's head and trunk.
Paste these over one another and the smallest clay piece can be used to add the remaining two hands at the back and the ears. The upper left hand should be shaped like an axe and the upper right hand should be shaped like a rope. Take a small portion of the clay and make a modak for him, pasting it on his left hand.
For the final touch, make a long slight cut across his belly, to give the shape of his janeu.
What now?
Let the clay dry for a while before you start painting it.
First of all, paint eyes on his face using a black paint, and now you are free to use colors of your choice to decorate your own Ganesha.
Anything else?
If you want, you can also make an aasan and a mushak for him using the clay. For the aasan, you just have to take a big rectangular chunk of the clay and make your Ganesha over it. For the mushak, a round clay chunk would do, with a long piece for his tail. You can make the mouse's mouth, eyes, and ears using paint.
When the idol is completely dry, it will look something like this: more
Okay, what would we need?
· Natural clay,
· Water,
· Paint of your choice, and
· A knife
How shall we make it?
Start with mixing the natural clay in the water. This would form the dough that would be made into the idol. Make sure that the clay and water ratio is 60:40.
Split the dough into four chunks, out of which one can be a bit smaller.
Take the largest chunk and start molding into the shape that forms the lower part of the abdomen and legs of a sitting Ganesha. You can use the below image for reference.
Now take the second chunk and roll its lower part into a round shape to make his round belly and Ganesha's hands and chest from the upper part. The right hand should be in an aashirwaad position and the left one should be flat for keeping a modak on it.
Now take the third chunk and make Ganesha's head and trunk.
Paste these over one another and the smallest clay piece can be used to add the remaining two hands at the back and the ears. The upper left hand should be shaped like an axe and the upper right hand should be shaped like a rope. Take a small portion of the clay and make a modak for him, pasting it on his left hand.
For the final touch, make a long slight cut across his belly, to give the shape of his janeu.
What now?
Let the clay dry for a while before you start painting it.
First of all, paint eyes on his face using a black paint, and now you are free to use colors of your choice to decorate your own Ganesha.
Anything else?
If you want, you can also make an aasan and a mushak for him using the clay. For the aasan, you just have to take a big rectangular chunk of the clay and make your Ganesha over it. For the mushak, a round clay chunk would do, with a long piece for his tail. You can make the mouse's mouth, eyes, and ears using paint.
When the idol is completely dry, it will look something like this: more
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View all 18 comments Below 18 comments
Ban china clay and other items. Government must encourage to use easily decompose items without harming to environment including the quality of clay more
Sep 05
Anything within limits is graceful. A murti of 30~40 ft is way beyond the original idea of "sarvajanik ganeshotsav". There has to be some curb on the size and cacophony during the celibrations, if that is what it is meant to be. Of course the POP is creating a havoc. The govt. should legally ban it. more
Sep 04
If we want to continue with legacy and heritage, we must forget about environmental pollution. Pollution is of varied kind: 1. Water bodies: due to immersion of idols after the puja is over. 2. Noise pollution all over and late into the nights, creating untold miseries to the senior citizen with various ailments. 3. Dust pollution due to very heavy traffic on all roads. and 4. Light pollution, since many people can not sleep unless dark. And the heat does not allow to keep all doors and windows shut. I face the same problem in Kolkata during Durga Puja. For last six years, I go away where the Durga Puja is not conducted in a big way. I don't know as to how long I will be able to continue like this. Since last six months I have knee pain which has severely restricted my mobility. I am walking with a stick now. more
Sep 02
