Where to make your own clay Ganesha

Ahead of Ganesha Chaturthi, Bengaluru residents are turning to clay to craft their own idols. Check out these places to try it yourself:Open for all agesThinkBox Children’s Library in Malleshpalya is hosting its seventh annual eco-friendly fuller’s earth Ganesha-making workshop on September 12, 4.30 pm and 6 pm. Founded by Bhakti Shah, the session serves as a cultural introduction to Ganesha traditions and is open to all ages, though children under five must be accompanied by a parent. The workshop costs Rs 350 for members (includes 1 kg of clay) and is limited to 10-12 participants per batch. To register, contact 81972 13944 or 97428 49955.Workshop plus mealDeepti Krishna, founder of Maralu Earth, is holding her second Ganesha-making workshop this year. The workshop by the sustainable crafts brand is priced at Rs 999 and includes a guided Ganesha-making session and a farm-to-table vegan festive lunch. The workshop is open to those aged seven and above. Contact 86184 67592, or check @maralu.earth or @karumkurum on Instagram.Seeds insideWest Bengal artisans raise bar for Davanagere’s Ganesha idol makersContent creator J B Shashank, who has been making clay idols since childhood, is conducting his second Ganesha-making workshop this year. The idea was “born from a desire to try something different, interact with people and build a community around art”, he says. Priced at Rs 499, the two-and-a-half-hour session includes clay and other materials, and a base to carry the idol home. Tulsi seeds will also be placed inside the idols, allowing a plant to grow after the clay dissolves. The workshop will be held at Rangoli Metro Art Centre, M G Road, on September 6, 11 am. Contact @jbshashankk on Instagram.Hybrid formatMeena Subramanian, co-founder of the home business EcoMompreneur, is conducting eco-friendly clay Ganesha workshops with a strict “no POP idols” focus. Booking is open until September 13 for her customised sessions, which run from 20-minute individual classes at her home to three-and-a-half-hour group workshops in gated communities across Bengaluru. Families are encouraged to craft together, though children under five must be accompanied by a caregiver. To register, contact 96201 15395.Sound healingRajesh Singh, co-founder of Eco Cottage, is holding the workshop for the third year. Priced at Rs 300, it includes all materials. This year, the session will begin with a sound-healing activity. Open to those aged 10 and above, the workshop can accommodate 20-25 participants. Contact @eco_cottage on Instagram or 99451 71115.Free workshopUttishta Bharatha, an NGO, has been conducting its clay idol-making workshop since 2021, with this year’s edition seeing a sharp rise in participation, says Suhas Sriram, a volunteer with the organisation for 12 years. The free workshop includes clay, guidance on making an eco-friendly Ganesha idol and lunch. “Open to all ages, the workshop draws a large number of children,” adds Suhas. It will be held at the Tri Pyramidal Abode of Wellbeing, Sri Shivaratnapuri Temple of Health, Rajarajeshwari Nagar. Contact 97425 40706.

Source: Deccan Herald