Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary on Sunday, 26 July 2026, shared a message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging citizens to install Ganesha idols made from the soil of India in their homes during Ganesh Chaturthi, calling the practice a form of worship of nature itself.

Context

The message, drawn from PM Modi's monthly radio address Mann Ki Baat, reads in translation: 'Is baar Ganpati puja mein desh ki mitti se bane Ganesh ji ko apne ghar mein sthapit karein' ('This time, install a Ganesha idol made from the soil of our country in your home during Ganesh Chaturthi'). The Prime Minister added that such an effort would, in its own way, amount to worship of nature. CM Choudhary amplified the appeal on his official X account, extending the message to his followers across Bihar and beyond.

Mann Ki Baat, which PM Modi has hosted since 2014, is a nationwide radio programme that regularly addresses social, cultural, and developmental themes. The Prime Minister has used the platform on multiple occasions over the years to advocate for eco-friendly religious practices, including the use of clay idols during major Hindu festivals.

Policy Backdrop

The push for clay and natural-material Ganesha idols is not new to Indian public discourse. Since the mid-2000s, governments and courts across India have encouraged devotees to move away from plaster-of-Paris (PoP) idols, which release harmful chemicals when immersed in rivers, lakes, and ponds during Visarjan (immersion). Clay idols, by contrast, dissolve naturally and are considered far less damaging to aquatic ecosystems.

The current appeal fits a broader pattern of aligning religious observance with ecological messaging through central government platforms. Similar campaigns have been run for natural Holi colours and traditional earthen Diwali diyas in multiple states, signalling a sustained policy preference for blending cultural tradition with environmental responsibility.

Stakeholders and Impact

The message carries direct relevance for Hindu devotees preparing for Ganesh Chaturthi, one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. Traditional idol makers — particularly those working with local clay — stand to benefit from heightened demand if the appeal gains traction at the household level.

Environmental groups have long advocated for exactly this shift, noting that mass immersion of synthetic idols remains a leading source of heavy metal and chemical contamination in India's water bodies. A visible endorsement from both the Prime Minister and a state Chief Minister lends institutional weight to what has previously been a patchwork of local advisories and court orders.

For Bihar, a state with a strong tradition of artisanal craftsmanship, the message could also provide a fillip to local kumbhar (potter) communities who produce clay idols using age-old techniques.

What's Next

With Ganesh Chaturthi approaching, observers will watch for increased visibility of clay-idol workshops, state-level campaigns, and any dedicated follow-up in the next scheduled Mann Ki Baat broadcast. CM Choudhary's amplification suggests that the BJP's state units may coordinate messaging around eco-friendly festival observance in the weeks ahead. If the appeal resonates widely, it could accelerate a gradual but meaningful shift in how urban and semi-urban households across India celebrate the festival — reducing the pollution burden on the country's already stressed river systems.