Make your own Ganesha!
Follow these step-by-step pointers to make an eco-friendly Bappa at home
Step 1
Take 1 kg shaadu maati in a mixing bowl. Add water to it gradually to make a smooth clay. Knead it like chapati dough. Once the clay is ready, keep it in a plastic bag to avoid it from drying.
Step 2
We start making the Ganapati from the bottom. Take some clay and make a round or square base for the idol. Next take some clay and roll it into a cylinder. Place the cylinder in the shape of the letter “C”. These are the legs of Ganapati. Attach this cylinder on the base using some small toothpicks. Next take some clay and roll it into a ball. This is the stomach of the idol. Place the stomach on the legs. Wet your fingers and blend the stomach and legs well from the back.
Step 3
Next, take some clay and make a cylinder shape. This is the chest and shoulder part of the idol. Place it on the stomach with the help of toothpicks. Using wet fingers blend it well
Step 4
Now make a carrot shaped trunk and place it on the center of the head. Using your wet thumbs blend the trunk well with the head. from the back. Take some clay again and roll it into a small ball which is the head of the idol. Place this head on the shoulders and bind it using a toothpick.
Step 5
Now make very small conical teeth and place it in between the head and trunk. Also place the janeu, sacred thread.
Step 6
Make circular rings and place them on the head for the head gear. You can get creative with the head gear.
Step 7:
Now roll two equal sized cylinders, thinner than the legs. These are the hands. Attach the left hand to the left shoulder at the right angle. Blend the right hand with the right shoulder in the shape of the letter “V”. Also roll out two equal sized balls and shape them up for the ears. Attach the ears on the sides of the head.
Step 8
Using a toothpick, you can do detailing like the fingers and jewellery. Your idol is now ready and you can keep it in a cool and dry place, and let it dry naturally. The idol will take 3-4 days to dry completely. You can then paint it using poster colours or geru (Red ochre powder).