Mumbai (Commonwealth Union)_ As preparations begin for Ganesh Chaturthi 2026, actor Chiranjeevi has encouraged people to celebrate the festival in a more environmentally responsible way by choosing Seed Ganesha idols. The actor unveiled the eco-friendly idols at his residence in the presence of Green India Challenge founder and former MP J. Santosh Kumar. Seed Ganesha idols are made using natural clay and contain seeds of native trees such as neem and tamarind. After the idol is worshipped, devotees can immerse it at home in a container of water. As the clay dissolves, the seeds remain and can later be planted, allowing the festival to contribute to the growth of new trees.
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For Chiranjeevi, the concept brings together faith and environmental responsibility. He said the use of Plaster of Paris idols during the festival has become a major concern because they can contribute to water pollution after immersion. He appealed to devotees to consider home immersion of clay-based Seed Ganesha idols as a simple step towards reducing the environmental impact of the celebrations. “God Himself becomes a plant and blesses you,” Chiranjeevi said, urging people to worship Lord Ganesha while also fulfilling their responsibility towards nature. He praised Santosh Kumar’s Green India Challenge as an important effort to encourage tree planting across the country.
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The Green India Challenge was launched in 2018, inspired by the Haritha Haram programme. Its basic message is simple: plant three saplings, care for them for three years and encourage three more people to follow the same practice. According to Santosh Kumar, the initiative has resulted in the planting of around 19.60 crore saplings across the country. The Seed Ganesha campaign was introduced in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, about 1.5 lakh idols have reportedly been distributed free during each season. This year, the initiative is seeking wider participation from individuals, housing societies and temple committees.
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Ganesh Chaturthi 2026 will begin on September 14. With large numbers of devotees expected to participate, the use of Seed Ganesha idols could help reduce the festival’s impact on water bodies while encouraging people to grow native trees. The idea gives the traditional festival a lasting environmental purpose. Instead of ending with immersion, the celebration can continue through the growth of a new plant, turning an act of worship into a small but meaningful contribution to a greener future.
