Flutes, playtops, chataai for Ganpati decoration in Thane

The eco-friendly theme continues in many homes and pandals of Thanekars this year. Heightened awareness to safeguard the environment has inspired many to come up with innovative decoration ideas such as using flutes, tops and even bamboo chatai (mattress) this Ganeshotsav.

Every year, Uthalsar's Shri Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal comes up with innovative ways to make their Ganpati pandal eco-friendly. This year, the mandal decorated their pandal using flutes and playtops (bhawara) made by adivasis of Madhya Pradesh.

"This concept was ideated by Sanjay Bhoir of our mandal who is our decoration in-charge," says Gokul Nitin Sonalkar, a member of the mandal. "Bhoir visited Madhya Pradesh and saw these beautiful products made by tribals and thought of using them in our Ganpati decoration," he adds.

The mandal used 3000 tops and 500 flutes, which were fitted on jute with an iron and steel rod base. This was used to make 12 pillars in the pandal. "After immersion, we will sell these items to the public, and the money will be donated to an orphanage or go towards some social cause," he said.

Last year the mandal had made use of kandils (lanterns) to decorate the pandal, which were later sold off to the people.

"For the last 15 to 20 years, we have stopped using Plaster of Paris and thermacol in our decorations as they are not biodegradable. We only use eco-friendly materials," he says adding that most of the raw materials like jute, iron and steel rods and wires are stored properly so it can be used the next year.

Even the Khardikar family at Gokulnagar has gone eco-friendly in their decoration this year. They used over 100 bamboo chataais to make a temple to hoist their bappa this year. "Our family and relatives came up with this idea, and we worked together to make this eight pillar temple," says Bhavit Khardikar.