Mumbaikars, including prominent state government officials, continue to make a beeline to the eight city malls to pray to the Ashtavinayak and support DNA’s Eco-Ganesha initiative on the sixth day of the festival.
On Tuesday, minister of state for housing Sachin Ahir, state environment secretary Valsa Nair Singh and others visited several events organised under the eco-Ganesha initiative. The officials exhorted citizens, who bring Ganesha home, and sarvajanik Ganpati mandals to follow eco-friendly practices.
Proceeds from the DNA initiative will go towards the ISKCON project that enables feeding of one lakh underprivileged children every day.
The Ashtavinayak idols have been kept at eight malls - Sobo Central, Center One, Growel’s 101, Korum, Nirmal Lifestyle, Oberoi Mall, R City and R Mall in Thane.
DNA also provides devotees, who cannot go on the pilgrimage, a chance to go on an Ashtavinayak yatra in less than 100km. The Ashtavinayak - all eight are located in Maharashtra - are popular because they are considered to be swayambhus (self-originated).
Five are located in Pune district, two in Raigad and one in Ahmednagar.
These 5-ft tall idols are made of shadu mati, a clay variety that dissolves easily in water and does not pollute it.
On Wednesday, when these idols will be immersed, DNA will ensure that eco-friendly practices are followed such as no use of gulal or plastic bags.
