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Clay idols reborn: From visarjan to new beginnings
4 Sep
Summary
- Recycled idol clay offers financial relief to artisans.
- Punaravartan campaign recovered over 76,000 kg of clay in 2025.
- Infrastructure challenges hinder large-scale clay recovery.
A growing movement in Maharashtra is transforming the story of Ganesh idols, shifting focus from their dissolution to their rebirth. Initiated in 2020 in Pune by the eCoexist Foundation, the Punaravartan campaign is actively recovering clay from idols after immersion.
In 2025 alone, the campaign, now involving nearly 30 partner organizations, successfully reclaimed over 76,000 kg of clay across Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, Thane, Mahad, and Mumbai. Pune significantly contributed to this figure with 49,500 kg.
This initiative provides vital financial relief for traditional clay sculptors, who face pressure from cheaper Plaster of Paris alternatives. By offering free raw material, the recovered clay helps artisans sustain their craft and offer more affordable idols to the public.
Despite its success, the campaign faces infrastructure challenges. While small-scale artisans can manage wet sludge, larger cities like Mumbai lack adequate storage. Processing this sludge into dry, reusable clay requires significant infrastructure that is currently beyond the capacity of volunteers. Activists emphasize that integrating clay recovery into official immersion protocols is crucial to prevent waste from polluting water bodies.
