Ganesh, Matoli Dekhavas in Ponda with an ‘eco-friendly’ difference

Team Herald

PONDA: Pollution free Ganesh Dekhavas and eco-friendly Matoli exhibitions in Ponda are turning out to be a huge draw and their message the environment has been well received. 

As large numbers throng the must-see Ganesh Dekhavas, what catches the eye is the use of several types of fruits, vegetables with medicinal use which convey a message of afforestation, improving air quality and making the world a better place. 

The eco-friendly Matoli tied over the Ganesha idols in every house and public places in Ponda talukas pays tributes to nature and items found in forests. 

Baburao Somnath Naik, President of Sadar Ponda Satvajanik Ganpati Kranti Maidan Ponda, said that they are celebrating for the 48th year. 

“Our festival is plastic-free and we don't use fire crackers and bombs and thus pollution frees for which, we have even received awards. Thousands of people visit during our famous 11 day festival,” he added. 

Further, individual houses have also become a huge attraction for thousands of devotees given their beautiful Matoli Exhibition Dekhavas, which decorate their homes. 

For instance, there is Shrikant Satarkar and his family from Rayat Coperwada Curti, having a lot of members celebrating the Ganesh festival under one roof every year. This year, they have created the exhibition of God Mahadeva who is also father of Ganesha, using around 350 fruits and Matoli items. The underlying message of their décor is to protect nature’s gifts to the people. Shrikant, a winner of the Matoli contest organized by the State government, said his family members are the ones who deserve credit for how they had put up the Matoli decoration on top of the Ganesh idol installed in their house. Many devotees had gathered to watch the decoration. 

Elsewhere, Sanket Narvekar, another artist from Kavlem Ponda prepared a Ganesh idol Dekhava with jute rope. The idol, which is seated on a swing, became a popular destination for devotees. 

Another example is that that of the Ghumat Dekhava in Sunil Naik’s house at Kaswada Talavalim, where the Ganesh idol was kept. This, he said is an ode to the Ghumat, which has been recognized as the State heritage instrument and is synonymous with Ganesh Chaturthi via the ghumat aartis. 

There is also the special 21 day Ganesh celebration in Marcal, which attracts massive crowds who travel from afar just to admire the Ganesh Dekhavas put up by several artists on the eco-friendly theme.