Daijiworld Media Network - Panaji

Panaji, Sep 17: A group of youth volunteers conducted a beach-cleaning and Ganesh idol collection drive at Miramar Beach on Wednesday morning after several idols were found floating along the Miramar and Caranzalem coastline following the Ganesh Chaturthi visarjan festivities.

The initiative was led by Sanghatana and Goa Hindu Yuva Shakti president Sujan Naik, along with Sadguru Youth Federation president Guruprasad Borkar. The volunteers began the drive at around 6 am, collecting idols that had washed ashore or remained floating in the sea.

According to the organisers, several of the collected idols were made of Plaster of Paris (POP), which does not readily dissolve in water and can contribute to marine pollution.

The idols collected during the drive were subsequently taken for re-visarjan (punar-visarjan). The organisers said the process was carried out respectfully and in accordance with the required rituals.

The youth group said the initiative has been conducted annually for several years with the objective of addressing environmental concerns while ensuring the respectful handling of damaged idols following immersion.

The organisers appealed to citizens to opt for eco-friendly Shadu Mati (clay) idols during future Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations, noting that such idols are more suitable for natural immersion.

The volunteers said the initiative sought to combine religious faith with environmental responsibility and urged citizens to ensure that immersion practices do not leave damaged idols and waste along Goa's beaches.

The drive concluded with an appeal for greater public participation in keeping Goa's coastline clean after the festive season.

“Ganpati Bappa Morya,” the organisers said.