Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sep 13: Karnataka environment and forest minister Ramalinga Reddy urged people to celebrate the Gowri-Ganesha festival in an eco-friendly manner by worshipping idols made of natural clay.

Speaking after distributing clay idols free of cost to the public at the western entrance of Lalbagh on Sunday morning, the minister said festivals should be celebrated with tradition and devotion while also ensuring protection of the environment.

He urged people to avoid materials that cause pollution in water bodies and opt for eco-friendly idols while celebrating the festival.

The Arya Vysya Mandali and Vasavi Yuva Jana Sangha of Avenue Road have been celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi in an eco-friendly and meaningful manner for the past 10 years. As part of the initiative this year, eco-friendly Ganesha and Gowri idols were distributed free of cost to the public.

Around 251 clay idols were distributed this year.

Vasavi Yuva Jana Sangha president Gurupasad said the programme was organised not only to distribute eco-friendly Ganesha and Gowri idols but also to create awareness among people about environmental conservation.