Ganesh Chaturthi, one of India’s most celebrated festivals, honors Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles and the god of wisdom and prosperity. For ages, this festival has been deeply rooted in tradition, with families performing the sacred ritual of installing clay idols in their homes and immersing them in water after days of devoted worship. This practice is considered a sacred vow, symbolizing the cycle of creation and dissolution.

Historically, the public celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi on streets and in communities was popularized by the freedom fighter Bal Gangadhar Tilak. Tilak’s vision was to unite Hindus under the banner of a common festival, bringing people together to plan strategies against British colonial rule. It was a celebration of faith and patriotism intertwined, aimed at fostering unity and resistance.

However, in recent years, the spirit of the festival has shifted. Instead of being a time of devotion and reflection, Ganesh Chaturthi has, for many, become a display of excess and competition. People now vie to install the largest and most elaborate idols, often made of toxic materials like plaster of Paris and harmful chemicals. These idols, when immersed in water bodies, contaminate rivers and lakes, causing significant environmental damage. This goes against the ancient wisdom of environmental protection enshrined in sacred Hindu texts like the Vedas and Puranas, which place great importance on the conservation of nature.

Additionally, the festivities have often become platforms for unruly behavior. Alcohol consumption, loud music, and street brawls tarnish the festival’s spiritual essence, occasionally even leading to crimes.

To preserve the sanctity of Ganesh Chaturthi, the focus must shift back to its roots—devotion, simplicity, and respect for nature. Idol makers and devotees should prioritize eco-friendly practices, and the community should emphasize worship and unity over competition and extravagance.