Want to Go Green This Ganeshotsav? Head to Nerul for Idols That Can Later Be Used as Manure!

As India preps in full swing to celebrate Ganeshotsav, one Nerul resident is determined to help people adopt a more eco-friendly approach.

Nilesh Tupe, an auditor and cow shelter owner in Nerul, is helping devotees go green by selling Ganpati idols made from cow dung.

The cow dung used in the idol making is sourced especially from gaushalas in Rajasthan. These cow-dung idols can be immersed at home, and the dissolved material can then serve as manure.

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Nilesh started selling the idols just a few weeks ago. His inspiration behind the venture is deeply rooted in the history of festivities in India. “Our ancestors have been celebrating festivals while also preserving the environment for a long time,” he told The Indian Express.

He explains his vision saying, “Every year, hundreds of thousands of people immerse Ganpati idols made of Plaster of Paris and other pollutants, harming many water bodies. I want to make people aware of the fact that it is possible to continue the tradition while preserving our environment, something our ancestors did very effectively.”

Read more: She Made a 35 Kg Chocolate Ganesha & Distributed It to Poor Kids. But That’s Not All She’s Done.

Nilesh sells the idols from his home in Sector 10 of Nerul. Offering a wide range of idols, the cheapest idols start from three-inch models sold at Rs 101 per piece to higher priced 12-inch colourful idols, costing Rs 2,200.

His venture has not only proved to be eco-friendly but also a profitable business model. Nilesh has sold over 10,000 idols across Maharashtra.

“Many people are excited by my product because of its simplicity and the purpose behind its creation. I have people coming to Nerul from all over the city to buy these Ganpati idols. The sales have been rising,” he told the publication.

Nilesh also owns and maintains a 25-acre gaushala, with over 60 cows, in Kharghar.

Connect to Nilesh Tupe on 9930088813.

Featured Image Credit: The Indian Express.

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