Mumbai’s Tejukayacha Raja was named in Guinness World Records in 2019 as world’s largest eco-friendly Ganpati. The idol, standing 22 feet tall and 18 feet wide, weighed nearly 2,000 kg and was made from paper, gum, powder, and coconut husk. It was painted with natural colors, making it fully biodegradable.
Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal has been pioneering eco-friendly practices since 1976, experimenting with materials like cotton and paper to reduce environmental impact.
Talking about the same, Rajendra Namdev Satardekar, President, Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav said, “The structure of the idol was made nearly 1.5 months ago and it contains paper, clay and natural colours. We try to share awareness against environmental pollution and hence our Ganpati is eco-friendly, for which we were mentioned in the Guinness World Records in 2019. This year, we made the pandal only within 5 days as we got the space very late due to redevelopment in the area.”
Mr Ganesh, a visitor at the pandal, told The CSR Journal, “This is a very good initiative. Other Ganpati idols should also be made eco-friendly with materials like clay or paper, so that we celebrate the festival without harming the environment in any way.”
Tejukayacha Raja idol appears in warrior avatar this year
The legacy of Raja Tejukayacha stretches back decades. The Tejukaya Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal, founded in 1967, has always been home to extraordinary idols. This year the Raja Tejukayacha Ganpatai idol is 22-foot tall and weighs over a ton. Crafted from biodegradable materials like paper, coconut husk, and natural colours, it promotes sustainability and responsible celebration during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival. The idol blends tradition and devotion with environmental responsibility, making it a unique and prideful symbol for Mumbai.
This year, the 22-feet Tejukayacha Raja idol appears in a majestic warrior avatar, wearing armour, carrying weapons like sword and axe and is accompanied by two lions on both sides. The idol was sculpted by veteran artist Rajan Zad, a fourth-generation idol maker.