Ganesh Utsav: The 11th day of tears

Festivals are an integral part of the rich and diverse cultural heritage of India. In association with the festivals, idol immersion is yet another anthropocentric activity which needs our immediate concern. Ganesh Utsav is at the threshold and we all know how this would end – with polluting one of our scarce natural resources i.e. water, through the immersion of the idols of Ganesh. While idols made out of naturally occurring clay dissolve within hours of immersion in water, Plaster of Paris idols may take anywhere between several months to years to fully dissolve. In addition, when chemical paints are used to decorate the idols, these paints contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which seep into the water as the idol dissolves thus intoxicating the water resources. Having said this shall we briefly look into the fact that why at all the idols need to be immersed in water.

Why are idols immersed in water?

The religious significance attached to this customary traditional practice of the immersion of idols is that the idols of gods and goddesses need to be cooled in water bodies as a mark of respect to the deities and their power. It is also believed that idols of gods and goddesses cannot be left unattended on the land because these idols may be subject to misuse, hence inviting the displeasure of the gods and goddesses who may cause mass destruction to people and the society. At the time of installation, the sanctification of idols (introduction of life in idols) is done by chanting Vedic mantras or hymns from the Holy Vedas. Similarly at the end of the festival, the power that is believed to be vested in the idols due to their sanctification needs to be released and the only acceptable way according to Hindu mythology is immersion in water. Another reason attached to the practice of idol immersion is the belief that water can wash off all ills and provide purity and sanctity to the numerous activities. Water is the only medium that has the capacity to gradually disintegrate the idol without destruction or subjection to flames.

Water Pollution due to immersion

On account of the immersion, materials like clay, bamboo, grass, wood, metals, jute, colors, painted cloth, flowers, incense sticks, dhoop, amphor, ash etc. are released into the water bodies. Added clay results in siltation of the lakes while immersed biodegradable materials contaminate the quality of the water. Traditionally idols were made of biodegradable substances such as straw, clay, resin and wood. They were painted with natural dyes from grains and flowers and coated with varnish. These substances dissolve readily in the flowing waters once the idols are ceremoniously immersed. However, today there is a change in the quality and type of materials being used in the production of the idols. Many artisans have begun to use synthetic colours to paint the idols, thus adding to the toxic waste in the waters (rivers, lakes or ponds) in which the idols are immersed.[i] The immersion of idols may be a religious act but with serious environmental predicament.

In Bangalore a study done by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to assess the impact of the immersion of idols. The facts are startling.

• The acid content in the waters increased.
• The TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) increased by a 100%
• The Dissolved Oxygen content increased during the day due to the agitation of waters during immersion and reduced at night when organic discharge increased.
• The heavy metal content sampling showed an increase in metals such as iron which increased nearly 10 times and the content of copper in the sediments increased by 200 to 300 %.[ii]

Heavy Metals	Before Immersion	During Immersion	10 days after immersion	45 days after immersion	Standard as per BIS and ICMR
Ca	24.05	56.11	68.16	35.27	75
Mg	17.56	21.7	35.18	19.71	30
Cd	0.019	0.024	0.036	0.022	0.01
Cr	0.018	0.02	0.029	0.019	0.05
Hg	0.058	0.0592	0.067	0.059	0.001
Mn	0.2	0.44	0.65	0.23	0
Pb	0.13	0.25	0.291	0.205	0.1
Fe	0.87	1.35	1.75	0.94	0.3
As	0.124	0.169	0.173	0.134	0

Change in concentration (mg/l) of some chemical pollutants in Balighat Immersion point of Budhabalanga River Before, during and after immersion of idols.[iii]

Alternatives keeping in mind ecological concerns

• ·     The idols should be made of traditional clay instead of baked clay. 
• ·     The paints of idols should be water soluble.
• ·      Idols should be small as they would dissolve faster.
• ·     Non-degradable chemical dyes are banned.
• ·     Stress on natural colours used in food products
• ·     Immersing the idol in a water tan constructed by the government, instead of directly into natural water bodies.
• ·     Immersing a 'betel nut' which symbolizes the idol and reusing the same idol every year.
• ·     If one is using a Plaster of Paris idol, simply sprinkling a few drops of water on it as a symbolic immersion and donating the idol to be recycled for the following year.[iv]

Reflection

Heed the cry of water

Water is a living entity which is able to raise its voice. It seldom could be the voice of celebration but most often it is the voice of protest. Water is constantly protesting against its objectification, colonization and pollution by humans.  In the midst of the joy of celebration the groaning of the waters is ignored or unheard. In the midst of the loud noises of the bursting of crackers, the dancing and singing, the cry of the waters is overlooked. We need to retrieve the voices of these waters in order to creatively engage in eco-justice endeavours.

There is of course an inherent relationship that exists between humans and water and therefore also between water and religion. Seventy percent of the globe is covered by water and also seventy percent of all humans are constituted of water. Therefore, it would not be wrong to claim that water is inter-linked with life. Religion too is inter-linked with life and it seems almost impossible to separate water, life and religion. Even a casual observer would note the religious significance and symbolism of water.[v]

The vitality of water is very much acknowledged in Hindu religion. For e.g. in Hinduism, water is considered as a powerful medium of purification and also as a source of energy. Rig Veda offers a prayer to the deity of water:

The waters in the sky, the waters of rivers and waters in well whose source is ocean, may all these sacred waters protect me. (Rig-Veda, 7.49.2)

There is an interesting story in the Hindu Puranas dealing with the pollution of water. In the Puranic story, Kaliya, the serpent King, polluted the waters of the river Yamuna by emitting poison, causing harm to the people and the cattle. Lord Krishna jumped into the water and onto the serpent. Kaliya attacked him with a lifted hood. Krishna grew in size and danced on his hood and the serpent could not bear the weight of the steps, each of which brought blood from its mouth. Finally the serpent prayed that it might be pardoned. Krishna spared it and commanded it never again to pollute the Yamuna waters.[vi]

This could be considered as a protest against the pollution of water by God Godself. In our contemporary times we resemble the serpent King. How can a Hindu beseech waters to protect them if those water bodies are polluted? A religion which has such reverence to water bodies has its propagators continuing to pollute it in the name of religion. Any religious ritual is good as long as it does not prove to be detrimental to the entire creation because creation belongs to God. I do comprehend the sentiments of our Hindu faith community behind the immersion of idols but at least if they could keep the alternatives mentioned above in mind then that would be a great help to the entire cosmos. Despite this if people still continue to do the same then the 10 days of festive mood of Ganesh Utsav would certainly bring smiles but the 11^th day would be the day of tears.

Prayers
Dn. Basil Paul

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[i] Madhu Khanna, “The Ritual Capsule of Durga Puja: An Ecological Perspective”, Christopher Key Chapple and Mary Evelyn Tucker edts, Hinduism and Ecology.

[ii] www.ecoexist.com

[iii] www.pelagiaresearchlibrary.com

[iv] www.ecoexist.com

[v] Philip Peacock, “Water Struggle-Water of Life”, Walti Longchar ed. Green Theology.

[vi] K.L. Seshagiri Rao, “The Five Great Elements (Pancamahabhuta) An Ecological Perspective”, Christopher Key Chapple and Mary Evelyn Tucker edts, Hinduism and Ecology.